The Hidden Gem of the Utah Ski Scene: Sundance Resort

As someone who’s grown up in Utah my entire life, I want to tell you about one of my favorite places on earth — Sundance Mountain Resort. At the base of Mount Timpanogos in scenic Provo Canyon, this destination embodies authentic mountain culture—world-class skiing, rustic lodging, and year-round adventure in the Wasatch Mountains. While many recognize the name from the Sundance Film Festival or its founder Robert Redford, the resort itself offers so much more, no matter the season.

With ski season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to focus on what makes skiing at Sundance Resort so special. It may not be the largest of the Utah ski resorts near Salt Lake City (roughly 500 skiable acres), nor the one with the most snow, but I firmly believe that Sundance is one of the best places to make some turns. There are many reasons for this but today I want to focus on a few that really stand out to me: uncrowded slopes, scenic terrain, and an atmosphere that feels both refined and genuine.

Sundance Resort—A Lack of Crowds and Plenty of Powder

I’ve had some of the best Utah powder days of my life at Sundance. While social media is ablaze with stories of skiers fighting traffic in the Cottonwood Canyons or long lift lines for a single run of untracked powder, I’ve spent my days at Sundance skiing that same powder, lap after lap, with no lift lines and plenty of untouched lines. Even on Saturdays, lines are manageable and on weekdays they are usually non existent.

If you’re looking for my recommendation for a must-ski run, head to Amy’s Ridge in the morning after it’s been freshly groomed. The views of Deer Creek Reservoir are breathtaking, and the slope is what I would consider “hero-worthy”—steep enough to feel like an Olympian carving across perfect corduroy but mellow enough for any confident intermediate skier. And here’s another tip: instead of veering off toward Bearclaw Cabin, continue down Grizzly Ridge to the base of Red’s. There are fewer people, and the fun steep groomer continues!

Après-Ski and Atmosphere

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you aren’t going to find your typical chicken fingers and chili here. Sundance Resort has some of the best on-mountain dining among Utah ski resorts. The Owl Bar serves great pub fare and craft cocktails in a historic western saloon setting (yes, the bar itself was once frequented by Butch Cassidy), while the Foundry Grill offers refined mountain comfort food that hits the spot after a morning on the slopes. The Foundry Grill is one of the few upscale restaurants around where I feel comfortable rocking my ski boots.

A View Worth the Visit

And then, there are the views. If you’ve never seen the Timpanogos Cirque in winter, or any season for that matter, it’s a must. Even after hundreds of visits, I still find myself stopping mid-run to take a photo—my phone has thousands of pictures of Timp. The scenery at Sundance Resort rivals any in the Rockies, and photographers, couples, and families all come here to experience one the most picturesque ski resorts in Utah.

During summer, those same views transform into lush alpine meadows, mountain biking trails, and Sundance summer activities like chairlift rides, hiking, fly-fishing, and outdoor concerts under the stars.

Sundance Is Authentic

Sundance isn’t about being the biggest or flashiest. Sundance knows what it is. It is a smaller mountain with great terrain, great food, and some of the best views in the state.

It's a boutique mountain retreat that blends art, nature, and recreation seamlessly. With new high-speed lifts, expanded snowmaking, and an emphasis on environmental stewardship, Sundance continues to evolve without losing its soul. You can ski fresh powder in the morning, dine on locally sourced cuisine by afternoon, and stay overnight in Sundance’s cozy mountain cabins or riverside lodging.

Located just 20 minutes from Provo and an hour from Salt Lake City, Sundance Mountain Resort is both accessible and blissfully removed from the crowds.

And besides, you might just run into me there… taking yet another photo of either the mountain or my meal.

Ryan King is the CFO of Thread Wallets, an e-commerce brand located in Provo Utah.