A vast mountain range with snowy peaks.

Our story begins here.

The Sundance History

In 1969, Robert Redford bought the land now known as Sundance and envisioned the careful growth of a community committed to the balance of art, nature and community.

It’s about art and conservation

“Sundance is an arts community, a recreational community, a community of people who appreciate the beauty of nature and feel the responsibility to preserve it.”

Today, Sundance offers an atmosphere steeped in cultural heritage. Inspired by the Ute tribes that first inhabited this canyon and continuing through the early 20th century as the Stewarts, a family of Scottish immigrants homesteaded the area. The second generation of Stewarts developed the mountain into a small ski resort called Timp Haven.

Investors began eyeing the picturesque locale as a place to erect expansive condominiums, but Redford wanted “to develop a little and preserve a great deal.” Rejecting advice from New York investors to fill the canyon with an explosion of lucrative hotels and condominiums, Redford saw his newly acquired land as an ideal locale for environmental conservation and artistic experimentation.

In 1981, the Sundance Institute was founded here at Sundance Mountain Resort, followed by the Sundance Catalog in 1988. Many writers, directors, actors and artists have been inspired by the beauty of this canyon. Years of experimentation and refinement have ultimately resulted in what we now call Sundance.  It’s Sundance’s ability to blend process and place that makes it dynamically unique and places it on uncharted waters on a steady course all of its own.

A vintage photo of a skiier walking across a wooden bridge at Sundance Resort.
An old photo of young Robert Redford leaning out of a tractor.
Vintage photos from the Sundance archives

A look back at Sundance through the years

Vintage car driving past a
A vintage photo showing the front of timp haven cafe, with snow on the ground. two classic cars are parked in front. ads for coca-cola and nehi beverages are visible on the cafe exterior.
Two skiers, one female in front and one male behind, are dressed in colorful '80s ski gear, skiing down a snowy mountain slope with a clear blue sky and mountain peaks in the background.
An outdoor holiday event with a crowd watching performers near a wooden stage decorated with christmas ornaments and a large red ribbon. two people in costume entertain the audience, who are wearing winter attire.
A 1970's Robert Redford sits on a stool with his arms crossed.

People here come from all walks of life, but one belief is shared: our community should represent who we are and what we believe. Sundance is an arts community, a recreational community, a community of people who appreciate the beauty of nature and feel the responsibility to preserve it. We want to help you find those elements of the Sundance experience which will most meet your needs and your dreams. As you’ll see, Sundance has many shapes, many moods, and many possibilities. Somewhere in our community awaits an experience which belongs to you and we are committed to helping you find it.

Robert Redford

Our Vision

To build upon Robert Redford’s legacy as stewards of this mountain drawing inspiration from art nature, and humanity to provide a place of discovery.

Our Mission

To be a leading North American experience-driven destination that ignites the senses, nurtures the soul, inspires stewardship, and fosters creativity.

A Few of Our Accolades

HospitalityEntertainmentWeddingsEnvironmentalDining

#2 Ski Resort in North America 2021

Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards

Best Mountain Holiday Experience – Utah

Resorts & Retreats, 2021

Loved By Guests Award 2021

Hotels.com, 2021

Top 500 Hotels in the World

Travel + Leisure, 2021

Top 15 Resort Hotels in the West

Travel + Leisure, 2021

#1 Ski Resort in North America 2019

Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards

Diner’s Choice Award (Tree Room)

Open Table, 2019

Top 10 Hotel Instagrams to Follow in August

Forbes, 2019

Top 10 Hotel Instagrams to Follow

Forbes, 2018

Best Resorts in the West – #6

Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Awards, 2018

Diner’s Choice Award (Foundry Grill)

Open Table, 2018

Winner: Best in Snow

Liftopia, 2018

Best of State – Best Vacation Resort

2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016

World’s Best List – 30th

Travel+Leisure, 2014

Best of State
(The Tree Room – American Artisan)

2002-2014

Top 100

Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards, 2013

Top 10 Green Spas in 2013

Organic Spa Magazine, April 2013

Top 50 U.S. Resorts – #18

Travel+Leisure,
World’s Best 2011

Silver Sage Readers’ Choice – Top-5

Spa magazine, 2011

Top 250 Spas in the U.S., Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, and at Sea – #71

Condé Nast Traveler,
June 2011

Top 50 Ski Hotels – #8

Top 20 Ski Resorts in North America – #19

Condé Nast Traveler,
December 2010

Best of State – Best Day Spa

2010

Best Overall Restaurant in Utah

BOSS Award, 2010

Summer’s 10 Best Outdoor Theater Experiences

Fodor’s Travel

Top 20 Honeymoon Destinations in America

Bride Magazine

Best of State – Bridal/Wedding Services

2012

Most Scenic Wedding Venue – Utah

2020

Ranked 9th at 82.2%

Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition Ski Area Report Card,
2011

Environmental Stewardship – #5

Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition,
2009/2010 season

Sequoia Green Business Award

Utah Business Magazine. The Sequoia award honors businesses that have matured into a completely green business in practice and purpose,
2009

Top 10 for Best Environmental Practices


SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award,
2009

GIFTTS Award

Preferred Hotel Group

“Best Green Development”

Honorable Mention from Ski Magazine,
2008

Top 10 Green Resorts

Ski Area Coalition

Reed Smoot Environmental Award

Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce,
2004

Wine Spectator’s 2021 Restaurant Award (Tree Room)

Wine Spectator

Forbes 4 Star Rating
(Tree Room)

Forbes

OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award

OpenTable Diner

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (Tree Room)

Wine Spectator

Best of State
– American Continental
(Zoom, Park City)

2008-2013

Best of State – Casual Dining Brunch
( The Foundry Grill)

2010-2012

The Sundance Family

Sundance, the place, has given birth to a variety of powerful businesses all sharing the same core philosophy.

Born of independent thought and creative execution, today the Sundance name represents innovation and change in all its manifestations. From the Sundance Preserve, Sundance Institute, Sundance Resort, Sundance Channel to the Sundance Catalog, the Sundance ventures touch millions of people every day.

A woman with long hair, wearing a red blouse and a dark skirt, sits on a brown leather couch, resting her head on her hand. Next to her, a man with a beard, wearing a blue jacket and jeans, holds a drink in his hand while sitting on the couch.

SundanceTV

SundanceTV is a cable television network devoted to airing independent feature films, world cinema, documentaries, short films, and original programs.
A black and white image with the text

Sundance INstitute

Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences.

A smiling woman with wavy brown hair is wearing a navy lace dress featuring intricate patterns and sheer sleeves. She stands against a subtle backdrop of blue and beige square paper pieces.

Sundance Catalog

The catalog offers the kind of things that we have been privileged to collect, many of them handcrafted exclusively for Sundance.

Local Partners

A group of skiers gathers at the top of the mountain with a stunning view of the valley below.

Ski Utah

Sundance is proud to be partnered with Ski Utah to promote the amazing skiing available across the state and here at Sundance Mountain Resort.

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A scenic landscape featuring lush green meadows and a dense forest leading up to a towering mountain with a partially snow-covered peak, under a clear blue sky. a narrow dirt path snakes through the meadow.

Explore Utah Valley

Explore Utah Valley (non-profit) is the official destination marketing organization for Utah County, Utah.

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Recent Press