Sundance Mountain Resort expands its ski area by 40 hectares

A major extension for Utah’s ski area

The Sundance ski area is expanding significantly with the integration of over 100 acres of new terrain, representing more than 40 hectares. This historic extension brings the total skiable surface area to 605 acres, or approximately 245 hectares, of perfectly groomed runs and pristine powder fields. For winter sports enthusiasts and resort regulars, this evolution represents an unprecedented opening to spectacular alpine panoramas, while laying the groundwork for future extension phases intended for the most experienced skiers.

This new zone has been designed to offer a smooth and immersive skiing experience in the heart of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. By finalising this first phase of development on the back side, the resort management demonstrates its commitment to offering a world-class domain without succumbing to the overtourism that characterises other resorts in the region. The balance between preserved nature and modern infrastructure remains the guiding principle of this ambitious project.

The Electric Horseman chairlift

At the centre of this transformation is the brand-new high-speed quad chairlift, named Electric Horseman. This state-of-the-art equipment has been designed to drastically improve access to the back side of the mountain while increasing the transport capacity for skiers. Thanks to an optimised uphill speed, this lift will considerably reduce waiting times at the start of the runs and improve the flow of skiers across the entire domain.

Technically speaking, the installation displays remarkable performance with a vertical drop of over 1,850 feet per rotation, equivalent to 564 metres. The Electric Horseman will allow skiers to cover the entire back side in a single fast ride of just six minutes going up. The name chosen for this chairlift pays a direct tribute to Sundance’s cinematic heritage and the famous 1979 eponymous film directed by Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford, thus consolidating the unbreakable link between art and the mountain.

The Storyteller run and its challenging couloirs

The other centrepiece of this extension is the creation of a new signature run named Storyteller. Traced along the ridge formerly known as the Far East Ridgeline, this 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometre) descent offers an upper-intermediate profile, combining wide panoramic turns and spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. It has been designed to offer a contemplative and memorable skiing experience, faithful to the creative and narrative spirit that has permeated the resort since its inception.

For skiers seeking stronger thrills and technical challenges, Storyteller also offers three new expert-level wooded couloirs. These technical passages meander through a dense forest before joining the base of the mountain, offering a secure and particularly demanding off-piste alternative. This duality of trails satisfies families looking for a lovely panoramic tour as well as seasoned freeriders in search of demanding lines.

The culmination of a multi-year modernisation plan

These major additions are part of a logical sequence of investments and improvements undertaken by Sundance Mountain Resort over several years. This long-term modernisation plan began in 2021 with the eagerly awaited launch of the Outlaw Express chairlift. This high-performance lift revolutionised access to the top of Mandan by reducing travel time to seven minutes, compared to twenty minutes previously with the old infrastructure, immediately transforming guest comfort upon arrival.

The following year, in 2022, the resort continued its efforts by opening more than 50 acres of additional runs (around twenty hectares) intended for intermediate skiers, while strengthening its snowmaking network. These developments helped guarantee optimal skiing quality from the start of the season, regardless of weather conditions. Thanks to these cutting-edge technologies, Sundance has extended its opening period while maintaining exceptional snow conditions on its main trails.

The Mountain Camp Day Lodge, pivot of the guest experience

Two years later, in 2024, Sundance Mountain Resort reached a new milestone in welcoming its day visitors with the construction and opening of the Mountain Camp Day Lodge. This modern welcome pavilion was designed as a one-stop shop to simplify the visitor experience. It brings together under one roof a lift ticket sales desk, high-end equipment rental service, secure lockers, and the headquarters of the resort’s ski school.

The architecture of this lodge scrupulously respects the resort’s aesthetic codes, favouring noble materials such as raw wood and local stone for perfect landscape integration. By centralising these essential services, the resort has succeeded in streamlining the guest journey, allowing skiers to spend less time on administrative formalities and more time on the slopes, an essential standard of service to meet the demands of an upscale clientele.

The artistic and environmental legacy of Robert Redford

Beyond technical performance and attendance figures, every development carried out at Sundance remains deeply rooted in the original vision of its founder. Robert Redford imagined this place not as a simple commercial ski resort, but as a sanctuary where nature, art, and community meet to inspire visitors. The name of the Storyteller run pays direct homage to this philosophy, reminding us that mountain experiences must be transformed into enduring narratives.

Environmental preservation is another fundamental pillar of the resort’s management. Every tree cut down for the layout of the new runs is subject to thorough consideration, and development work is carried out to minimise the impact on local flora and fauna. By voluntarily limiting real estate expansion in favour of protecting natural spaces, Sundance stands out as a model of luxury ecotourism, where the true privilege lies in the contemplation of untouched nature.

Our perspective

In a white gold market increasingly dominated by giant consortia and hyper-interconnected ski areas, Sundance Mountain Resort chooses singularity. This 40-hectare extension proves that it is possible to modernise technically without losing one’s soul or intimate atmosphere. The introduction of the Electric Horseman chairlift provides an essential technical response to the expectations of modern skiers in terms of comfort and speed, while retaining the exclusive and preserved character that appeals to discerning travellers.

For La Revue des Hôtels clientele, Sundance represents the perfect alternative to Utah’s ski factories. Here, luxury is not expressed through flashiness or ostentation, but through calm, landscape beauty, and the cultural richness of a place marked by independent cinema history. These new developments reinforce the resort’s appeal, positioning it more than ever as a must-visit winter destination for those seeking an authentic, artistic, and highly qualitative skiing experience.

Practical information

• Address: 8841 Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Sundance, UT 84604, United States
• Official website: sundanceresort.com