While attending a family wedding recently, I discovered that breath-taking canyon walls, amazing fall colors, spectacular winter snow, and a famous film festival are just a bit of what makes Sundance a great place to retreat to from the rest of the world. This resort has all of the traditional high-end treatments that travelers expect, but they are combined to work with instead of against nature. Sundance is a unique escape into nature.

Sundance Resort, located in the canyons near Provo, Utah, is the place that Robert Redford built. Named after the legendary character he played Butch Cassiday and  the Sundance Kid, Redford bought the property in 1969 from  the Stewart family. When he acquired their small  family-skiing operation, it had  only a single chair lift and a rope tow. While developers snatched up property in the majestic mountains of Utah to cash in on the new alpine skiing craze, Redford decided not to dot the area around Sundance with modern condos. Instead, he believed that it was an “ideal locale for environmental conservation and artistic experimentation.”

So, Sundance became home to a unique blend of summer and winter recreation venues, art galleries, nature preserves and environmentally friendly buildings. Redford has been able to hold true to his personal mission to “develop very little and preserve a great deal” while creating a warm and cozy resort getaway. Guests are made to feel like they are part of an intimate community during their stay at Sundance.

As a visitor to the resort you will have many recreational options, some traditional and some non-traditional. Below are just a few of the unique experiences available to guests.

Art

Redford believes that art and nature are inseparable, so he created an art center, called the Art Shack, which houses an art gallery, featuring the art work of the artists in residence at Sundance. The artists in residence provide workshops for guests in such artistic endeavors as jewelry making, pottery, watercolors, and drawing. The workshops are available to anyone interested in finding their inner artist.

Nature Activities

The Alpine Scenic Loop driving tour is one way to experience the splendor of the canyon and Mount Timpanogos. During the drive, you will experience part of the Redford Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, which is 860 acres that the Redfords donated to Utah Open Lands, which means it will be protected forever. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see some moose or deer along the way.

During the summer and fall, guests can learn about and experience the unique natural surrounds at Sundance by taking part in their many naturalist activities. These opportunities range in price from free to $35.00 per session and are led by local naturalists and experts. Some activities have limited dates and availability so be sure to call 801-223-4567 for reservations and details.

• Sunrise and Sunset Birding Hikes – learn about the local bird species while hiking through the North Fork Canyon.
• Sunset Hikes – go on search for deer, elk, and moose during the early evening hours when they are most active.
• Night Owling – start at the Sundance Nature Center to learn about the owls of the night, and then go outside for a listening tour of the night owls.
• Bats! – view a slide show about these unusual creatures at the Nature Center and then travel to the Sundance pond for bat viewing.
• Wildflowers and Birding – go on a day hike through the Redford Family Preserve and commune with the bird life and learn about the local wildflowers.
• Elk Viewing in the Fall – hike into the meadows of the Redford Family Preserve to experience the sensational sounds of the elk rutting and bugling season.
• Moonlight Hikes – hike through the preserve under the light of the canyon’s full moon.
• Fireside Chats – stay inside by the fire and learn about the history and wildlife of the region from local Forest Service geologists and anthropologists.

Beyond these special programs, Sundance also offers a wide variety of traditional summer and fall activities.

Hiking – ascend the mountain on your own power, or ride the chair lift up the mountain to the summit and then hike the mountain trails. Guided hikes are available for an hourly fee for groups or individuals. The chair lift costs $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and is free for children under five.

Fly fishing – the fish are beyond abundant in the Provo River. It is estimated that there are up to 3,400 trout per square mile on this river, so the fishing is excellent. Fishers of any age or level will enjoy catching Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat and German Browns as they are led by guides from Rocky Mountain Outfitters along the Provo River and other streams and tributaries.

Horseback Riding – Rocky Mountain Outfitters offers riders of eight years and older an old fashioned western ride through the Wasatch Mountains, formerly Ute Indian hunting grounds.

Mountain Biking – check out the more than twenty five miles of single track mountain bike trails, serviced by chair lifts. Or, try climbing the 1,200 vertical feet from the base to Ray’s Summit. All bike trails are designed to be ridden both uphill and down, but are geared for mainly intermediate or advanced riders. If you want to improve your bike moves, enroll in a training session offered by the Mountain Biking School. There are also the Sundance/Soldier Hollow weekly races for the competitive bikers to enjoy. And, they haven’t forgotten the ladies at Sundance. They offer a Ladies Day Program for women mountain bikers.

Since it is located in the great snowy mountains of Utah, Sundance features extraordinary winter recreational activities as well.

Alpine Skiing & Boarding

The downhill skiing and snowboarding area includes 450 acres and 41 runs that range in difficulty from beginner green to advanced double black diamond. In comparison to the big Utah resorts, the area is smaller, but it is also slower paced and less crowded. It is also a lot less expensive than the big resorts. Adult lift tickets are $44.00 on weekends and holidays and only $32.00 midweek. Half day adult prices are $34.00 weekends and holidays and $26.00 midweek. They even offer a discount for afternoon twilight skiing.

Sundance offers both skiing and snowboarding instruction. Skiers and boarders can learn one on one, in a group of two to four people or in a larger group lesson for a full or half day lesson. Kids, aged four to six years are taught to ski in classes of up to three children. Kids aged 7-12 are taught in half or full day group lessons.

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiers enjoy 26 kilometers of groomed trails for skating and classic skiing. In addition, there is also ten kilometers of dedicated trails for snowshoeing. All day adult passes are $11.00 and only $8.00 after 2:00 p.m.

Lodging

Overnight guests at Sundance are treated to beautiful, cozy accommodations. There are no generic, cookie cutter hotel rooms at Sundance. There are only unique lodge accommodations. Holding to their strict green policy, all buildings at Sundance are built with the surrounding environment in the forefront of the design process. The buildings are nestled into the trees and mountains and look as if they have been there for many generations. They are built using environmentally sound products and are decorated with the flair of the traditional Southwest.

Guests can choose from a variety of room types from a spacious standard room to a three or four bedroom cottage, depending upon their needs. Rooms or cottages offer such amenities as fireplaces, decks or patios, refrigerators or kitchenettes, steam showers, and jet tubs. Because the accommodations are so unique, the prices are higher than the average ski resort hotel room. Prices range from $225.00 to $1,560.00, depending on room type and time of year. For best prices, travels should avoid the peak holiday season.

Dining

As expected, The Sundance Resort offers up savory cuisine for its guests. Guests have the option of dining at either of the two full service, fine dining restaurants, The Tree Room or the Foundry Grill, which features an amazing Sunday brunch. Or, for a quick bite they can check out the local deli or have a cocktail and a snack while listening to live music at the Owl Bar. The Owl Bar even features an authentic bar where Butch Cassidy and friends sipped a few cold ones back in the day.

Spa

Finally, what getaway-from-it-all resort would be complete without a luxurious spa? Sundance features an organic spa experience for its guests. Their methods are “inspired by the Sioux concept of Hocoka – a sacred environment for the restoration and healing of the body and spirit.” Spa treatments are based on Native American traditions and staffers only use natural, organic products.

Getting There

Sundance Resort is located less than an hour’s drive southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah, off of I-15, near Orem in Provo Canyon. Call 1-801-892-1600 for more information and reservations.

External Links:

• Sundance Resort -