Sundance Mountain Resort is less than an hour drive from Park City, yet the grounds and space feel unaltered by the whirling expansion of the 21st century and act as a sanctuary for the land, the wildlife, and the guests. When conservationist, artist, and actor Robert Redford purchased 2,200 acres and a tiny ski resort named Timp Haven from the Stewart family, he had a clear vision that intertwined stewardship and storytelling.
Today, lodging guests learn about the dream that launched Sundance Mountain Resort in a video featuring Robert Redford, who describes his fateful scenic drive through Provo Canyon more than 50 years ago. A detour from the main highway brought him to the foothills of Mount Timpanogos and his future legacy, Sundance Mountain Resort.
“I knew this was where I wanted to put a stake in the ground. It was idyllic because it was so raw and kind of primitive, which made me fall in love with the whole canyon,” he said in the film. “I realized it would be developed away from what I loved. At that point, I pledged to do everything in my power to preserve it. I guess that was the birth of Sundance Mountain Resort.”
True to the spirit of conservation, little has changed in the realm of development over the past twenty years. The steep limestone cliffs and rugged ridges of Mount Timpanogos endure as the center stage and the quaint, quiet village that smells of wood-burning stoves and roasting coffee remains the heart of the resort.
Stay
The most notable alteration to the grounds is The Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort, which welcomed its first guests in January 2026. Adjacent to the Outlaw Express chairlift, the 63-room structure melds with the majestic mountain scenery while embodying Robert Redford’s criteria that Sundance Mountain Resort will have no building taller than the tallest tree. “The Inn literally spans both sides of the North Fork Provo River,” describes Chief Hospitality Officer, Paige Fowler, “When you cross the bridge, you’re able to really take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the river running through The Inn.”
Intentionality is the core consideration across all aspects of the new accommodations. Thoughtful embellishments like a handwritten welcome card on Sundance Mountain Resort stationery, house-made artisan soap in every room, and a resort guide that covers history, local ecology, and resort amenities that culminate in an intimate luxury experience.
“Everywhere you go in The Inn, there is a story to read about, to learn about. It’s a journey,” Fowler says. Guests can spend hours perusing the museum-quality ecological displays and the extensive library of collectible books. The diverse resident and rotating artist exhibitions each tell a unique story of sustainability.
Dine
Dishes featuring local ingredients are the nexus of every menu. “Many of the artisans share the same values we do,” Senior Director of Food & Beverage, Manuel (Manny) Rozehnal, says, illustrating how Sundance Mountain Resort partners with providers that share an ethos of sustainability.
Guests of The Inn enjoy a complimentary European-style breakfast in the Living Room, a cozy gathering space with a crackling wood stove, self-serve café, and panoramic views of Mount Timpanogos. In the afternoon and evening, the Living Room becomes a gathering space that fosters connection over libations and light bites.
The best way to enjoy lunch is huddled around a fire pit in the open air. Pop by The Deli to build a picnic; think pizza, sandwiches, salads, soups, and house made pastries. Then find a feasting spot with a view of the surrounding peaks.
Dinner at the Tree Room is legendary. “It’s the first restaurant that Robert Redford built himself at the resort. We treat it as his signature restaurant, and go back to his values, roots, and what he was envisioning,” Rozehnal explains. The intention is for guests to have a thought-provoking dining experience. Menu consistency is central to the Tree Room’s notoriety. “The Sundance Mountain Resort trio is the Sundance Salad, the Tree Room Pepper Steak, and the Berries & Custard. Those three items have been on the menu for the last 30-something years,” he continues. While the elevated American classics are beloved, the plant-based entrée of forbidden rice, mole, corn bisque, and cauliflower burst with complex flavors and was even prettier than the Pepper Steak.
A Sundance Mountain Resort dining experience isn’t complete without a visit to the Owl Bar, a genuine outlaw hangout (proof is in the bullet holes) relocated to Sundance Mountain Resort from Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Play
Sundance Mountain Resort is about 5,000 acres, over half of which are protected in conservation easements. Surrounding the conservation easements are 245,000 acres of forest service land, including 10,518 acres of Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. Between the wilderness and protected land are the 500 acres of skiable terrain. “That’s the beauty of Sundance. It’s the magic,” says Director of Programming & Art, Mari Turner. “There’s something at Sundance that simply cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The land is special, and people feel it.”
When winter operations end in early April and summer operations begin around Memorial Day, guests can witness the majesty via scenic chairlift rides or an exhilarating 65-mph zip line.
The Art Studio & Gallery is a Sundance Mountain Resort signature experience. “The resort is built on the belief that art and nature go hand in hand,” Turner shares. “We consider the Art Studio to be the heart of Sundance Mountain Resort. We believe everyone who comes to Sundance Mountain Resort should have an experience there.”
One of those experiences is the perfume making class where participants get a glimpse into the world of perfumery, smelling over 35 natural notes (made from organic materials rather than synthetic), and craft a custom concoction for a personal signature scent.
Restore
“The Spa and The Springs both tie back to that wellness aspect that is core to who we are at the resort,” Fowler says. The Springs are a hydro and heat therapy haven for all lodging guests. It’s tucked in a quiet cove of trees, with breathtaking views of the rugged mountain skyline. She also suggests rising with the sun and witnessing the dawn break at The Springs. Well worth the effort, guests can alternate between the wood barrel sauna, whirlpools, and soaking pool—beginning the day with healing and prepared the soul to absorb the Sundance Mountain Resort magic.
