Walking through the new Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort, you feel you’re in the shadow of the late Robert Redford. On shelves next to the fireplace, books from his library tell the story of his own feelings for this special place. Walking across a footbridge, the sound of the creek below instills a sense of nature as you look up at the snow-capped ridgelines of Mt. Timpanogos. Our guide is Sundance President and General Manager Chad Linebaugh, a longtime friend of Redford, and our guest on this episode of Last Chair, the Ski Utah podcast
The first thing you notice when you walk up to the new 63-room is how it just looks like it’s always been there. It’s an intimate wooden structure, straddling the creek with bridges, and providing a firepit gathering place literally feet from the Outlaw Express lift. It looks like it belongs. It’s built in two small buildings connected by footbridges over the free flowing creek. From The Inn, it’s all of a 30-second walk to the ski lift, and you’re up on the mountain.
If you haven’t been to Sundance lately, it’s worth a trip. New lifts, new ski runs, and the new Inn have enhanced the experience and the connection to nature that has long been the ethos of Sundance.
Linebaugh grew up on the slopes of Sundance, and has served its vision for over three decades. As he guides listeners through the Inn you can feel that personal connection.
So, settle in and join us now at the fireplace in the Living Room of the Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort as Chad Linebaugh waxes poetically on the legend of Robert Redford and the lure of this special canyon at Sundance.
“This place is so special and there is so much purpose behind it that goes beyond. It's not about a commercial transaction. This place is about nature. It's about art. It's about conservation. It's about recreation. It's about giving people transformational experiences, and it's about helping people connect with this place.” - Chad Linebaugh, President and General Manager, Sundance Mountain Resort
LAST CHAIR GUEST
Chad Linebaugh
Sundance Mountain Resort President and General Manager Chad Linebaugh grew up skiing at Sundance and has forged his career at the mountain, starting with his first job back in 1994. From outdoor adventure to the arts, conservation, and community, Linebaugh oversees the ongoing implementation of Robert Redford’s vision for Sundance. An active skier himself, Linebaugh has also served as board chair of Ski Utah. In his role as president, he oversaw the acquisition and transition to Sundance’s new ownership group, as well as the construction of the Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort.
