words by Mike Ranellone
Striking views and star-studded history set Sundance Mountain Resort apart — and soon, a major terrain expansion will give intermediate and expert skiers even more to applaud. Starting next winter, a quick skate past Bearclaw Cabin from the top of Red’s Lift opens up multiple new adventures to choose from, with options for wide-open bowl skiing, steep chutes, and trees, all connected by a continuous blue-square ridge run with views for days. And in the following ski season, all this terrain gets easier to lap, with a new high-speed quad set to open for 2026–27.
The 165-acre addition includes an entirely new bowl adjacent to Bishop’s Bowl, plus a stout lineup of chutes and tree runs extending down the Far East ridgeline beyond Vertigo and the current ski area boundary. Located off the beaten path with plenty of north-facing slopes to protect it from the sun, this zone should hold great snow in between storms and add new powder stashes to Utah’s legendary list. And on top of Sundance Mountain Resort's trademark vista looking up at Mt. Timpanogos, the new ridge run shows off three different sparkling blue lakes as you wind your way from summit to base.
New Adventures With a Side of Scenery
The next two winters’ expansion practically doubles the area Sundance Mountain Resort skiers know as the “back mountain.” If you haven’t been to Sundance Mountain Resort, it’s tough to appreciate just how stunning and three-dimensional this section is just looking at a map. Rising up behind the lower peak served by the Outlaw Express, Bearclaw Summit delivers miles of views off the back toward Provo Canyon and Utah Lake, and it’s the gateway to Sundance Mountain Resort’s high alpine expert terrain.
Current options from the top of Red’s Lift keep skiers facing the frontside, via Bishop’s Bowl or named chutes like Shauna’s and Wonderboy that get progressively steeper and longer the further you traverse out the Far East ridgeline. The new bowl, opening in two winters, which has yet to be named, lets you drop into the drainage behind this ridge, where you’ll eventually re-join the lower portion of the blue-square ridge run and make a big left turn — grinning, we suspect — back toward the bottom of the Wildwood lift.
When the new Electric Horseman Express, a Doppelmayr high-speed quad, opens for the 2026–27 season, it’ll start there, shortening the round-trip journey and shuttling skiers nearly 2,000 vertical feet right back up to Bearclaw Summit for more.
One of the coolest things about skiing in Utah is how much ground you can cover in a single run, and you don’t have to be a pro skier to do it. The new intermediate ridge run promises a long and gorgeous lap on its own, even if you have no desire to point your tips into the fall line and ski steeper off-piste routes. It’ll make for a great sightseeing tour right before lunch, or even a day closer with plenty of photo ops as the afternoon sun turns golden to the west.
The expansion will take place in two phases. Here is what you can expect:
Winter 25–26 - Far East expansion -- Nine new trails will be added, featuring a mix of tree runs to chutes and two intermediate runs, including a new groomed run down the Far East ridge. Sure to become a signature run in Utah, this ridge run offers 360-degree views from Utah Valley to Heber Valley and three mountain lakes.
Winter 26–27 - New bowl expansion -- Adjacent to Bishops Bowl lies another 100 acres of untapped terrain, hidden in plain sight. Get ready to point your tips down Provo Canyon for turns with breathtaking views you've never experienced at Sundance Mountain Resort.
Winter 26–27 - Electric Horseman Lift -- Starting near the base of the Wildwood Lift, the Electric Horseman Express will traverse the Far East Ridge and Bishop's Bowl, bringing skiers and riders to the top of Red's Lift at Bearclaw Summit.
Stewardship Sets the Stage
This is all part of what Sundance Mountain Resort calls Act 2: a new era balancing thoughtful enhancements with an eye for preserving the nature and spirit that make this place special. When today’s ownership group took the reins from Robert Redford in 2020, they promised not just to run a resort, but to be stewards of the land and put caretaking and community first. This new expansion lets skiers experience the natural terrain and beauty of the Wasatch Range as it has existed for millennia, with minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment.
Another example of the Act 2 vision is the new Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort, also scheduled to open next winter. This ski-in/ski-out lodge adds luxury accommodations while also hosting a new Mountain Veterans Program to provide wounded veterans and their families easier access to the slopes. And to underscore Sundance Mountain Resort’s commitment to the landscape, the building is designed not to stand higher than the tallest nearby tree.
The on-mountain experience has been a major focus of Act 2. Next winter’s terrain expansion follows the recent addition of sunny, mid-mountain skiing for beginners and intermediates via the Wildwood Lift, as well as recent snowmaking improvements. The high-speed Outlaw Express replaced Ray’s Lift, adding uphill capacity out of the lower base area to serve a growing number of skiers while preserving the guest experience Sundance Mountain Resort is known for. And with the new Mountain Camp Day Lodge and expanded parking, Act 2 improvements are designed to serve Utah locals and destination skiers alike.
Encore: Can’t-Miss Sundance Mountain Resort Staples
Skiing — some of it pretty serious — clearly takes center stage in this part of the Sundance Mountain Resort story. But if the chance to make some memorable turns in brand-new terrain has you considering your first trip to Sundance Mountain Resort, it’s worth a second glance at some of the history and unique amenities that round out this one-of-a-kind vibe.
Robert Redford’s influence and focus on creating a community for the arts is evident across the resort, from the Visiting Artist Program at the centrally located Art Studio & Gallery, to the renowned Summer Theatre program and the Bluebird Cafe Concert Series.
Tired ski legs will welcome a visit to The Springs, an outdoor trio of rest and relaxation pools (plus a new sauna) available to lodging guests. And for a classic western après ambiance, saddle up to Owl Bar, whose rosewood bar top dates to 1890s Wyoming and is said to have been visited by Butch Cassidy.
Getting There: Sundance Mountain Resort is Closer Than You Think
With Sundance Mountain Resort tucked into the Wasatch a little further south than Park City and the Cottonwood Canyons, skiers might forget how easy it is to access. Thanks to fast-moving highways, Sundance Mountain Resort is still less than an hour from Salt Lake City and Park City (try it in your GPS app, we dare you!). Whether you’re flying into SLC or you’re a Utah local ready to switch up your ski routine, Act 2’s latest terrain improvements add another reason not to sleep on Sundance Mountain Resort. Explore the resort and plan your visit at https://www.sundanceresort.com/.
Content produced in partnership with Sundance Mountain Resort
