Robert Redford once famously said he wanted to develop a little and preserve a great deal. Honestly, most developers say stuff like that to get permits. But Redford actually did it. In 1968, he bought a tiny, rundown ski hill called Timp Haven in Utah’s Provo Canyon and turned it into the Robert Redford Sundance Mountain Resort. He didn't want a "resort" in the corporate sense. No glitz. No neon. Basically, he wanted a place where the trees were more important than the condos.
For fifty years, he owned the place. It was his home, his lab, and his refuge. Then, in late 2020, he sold it.
People panicked. They thought the soul of the mountain was going to be paved over by big-money investment firms. But here we are in 2026, and the reality of the Robert Redford Sundance Mountain Resort is a lot more nuanced than "the corporate takeover" everyone feared. The mountain is changing, sure, but it’s doing it in a way that feels surprisingly... Sundance.
The 2020 Sale: Why Redford Let Go
Redford was in his 80s when he decided to sell. You've gotta think about the pressure of maintaining thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. He wasn't just running a ski lodge; he was holding the line against the massive urban sprawl creeping up from Provo and Orem.
He sold to Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners. Now, usually, when a private equity group buys a legendary local spot, the first thing they do is double the prices and build a skyscraper. But Redford didn't just hand over the keys to the highest bidder. He spent years vetting people who would agree to his conservation easements.
The Preservation Clause
Before the sale even closed, Redford and his family put another 300+ acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat into permanent protection with Utah Open Lands. This brought the total amount of protected land at the resort to over 3,300 acres. That’s roughly 70% of the entire property that can never be developed.
It’s a massive middle finger to the traditional resort business model.
What’s Actually Changed (Act II)
Since the sale, the resort has entered what they call "Act II." It’s sort of a balancing act. On one hand, the new owners are finally fixing the stuff Redford kind of ignored—like the ancient, slow chairlifts. On the other, they’re trying to keep that rustic, "cabin in the woods" vibe.
The Lift Situation
For decades, if you skied Sundance, you spent most of your day sitting on a slow-moving chair. In 2021, they put in the Outlaw Express. It cut the ride to the Mandan summit from 20 minutes to seven. That’s a game-changer.
The Electric Horseman Express
Named after Redford’s 1979 film, this new high-speed quad is the big news for the 2026-2027 season. It’s opening up about 165 acres of new terrain on the back mountain. We’re talking bowls, chutes, and tree runs that used to be hike-to only.
The Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort
This is the most controversial part for the purists. For years, if you stayed at Sundance, you stayed in a cottage or a mountain home. Now, there’s a new 63-room Inn right at the base.
The architects were under strict orders: no building can be taller than the tallest tree. It’s got a "mud room" for skiers and a wrap-around porch, and it looks like it’s been there forever, even though the paint is barely dry.
Living the Vision: Not Just for Skiers
If you think the Robert Redford Sundance Mountain Resort is just a ski area, you’re missing the point. Redford built an Art Studio before he built fancy lodges.
You can still go there today and take a pottery class or blow glass. They literally take the old wine bottles from the Tree Room restaurant, melt them down in the glass-blowing shop, and turn them into the water glasses you use at dinner. That’s not a marketing gimmick; they’ve been doing it since the 70s.
The Food Scene
The Tree Room is still the crown jewel. It’s built around an actual living tree. No kids under 12 are allowed, which makes it one of the few places in a ski town where you can actually hear your own thoughts.
Then there’s the Owl Bar. This is the actual bar from 1890 that Butch Cassidy’s gang used to frequent in Wyoming. Redford had it moved to Utah. It’s dark, it smells like old wood and bourbon, and it’s arguably the coolest bar in the state.
The Misconception: The Film Festival
Here is what most people get wrong. The Sundance Film Festival and the Robert Redford Sundance Mountain Resort are two different things.
Redford started the Sundance Institute (the nonprofit) and the Festival to support independent filmmakers. While the resort hosted the early years of the festival and still holds screenings, the "main" festival moved to Park City decades ago because Sundance simply didn't have enough hotel beds.
Redford still lived on the mountain until his passing in 2025. His presence is everywhere—from the names of the runs to the lack of "The North Face" logos plastered on every square inch of the village.
Is It Still Worth the Trip?
Honestly, if you want 100 miles of groomed runs and a heated gondola with Wi-Fi, go to Park City or Deer Valley. Sundance isn't for you.
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But if you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a 1970s mountain movie—where the service is quiet, the views of Mount Timpanogos are unobstructed, and the night sky is actually dark—then yes, it’s still the best place in Utah.
The "new" Sundance is faster and has better snowmaking, but it’s still remarkably quiet. It remains a place where "less is more" isn't just a slogan, but a requirement.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit:
- Skip the weekend: Sundance is small. On a Saturday, those 450 acres feel tiny. Go on a Tuesday.
- Dine at the Foundry Grill: If the Tree Room is too pricey, the Foundry Grill has the same commitment to local ingredients but in a way more relaxed setting.
- Visit the Art Studio: Even if you aren't "artsy," spending two hours making a lopsided clay bowl is weirdly therapeutic.
- Take the Scenic Lift: In the summer, the lift ride over the wildflowers is better than the skiing.
- Stay at the Inn: If you want the modern comforts (like ADA accessibility and central air) that the older cottages lack, the new Inn is your best bet.
Robert Redford might be gone, but his mountain is still standing. It’s a rare example of a celebrity legacy that didn't get sold out for a quick buck.