Sundance Announces Major Terrain Expansion
Sundance Mountain Resort, the iconic Utah destination founded by Robert Redford, has unveiled ambitious plans for a significant expansion, heralding a new era for the beloved resort. The multi-phase development, part of the resort's ongoing "Act II" revitalization, will introduce a new high-speed chairlift, open up 165 acres of fresh skiable terrain, and see the debut of a new luxury inn.
At the heart of the expansion is the "Electric Horseman Express," a new high-speed quad chairlift. Named in homage to the 1979 film starring Redford, the lift is set to transform access to Sundance's renowned "back mountain." Starting near the base of the existing Wildwood lift, the Electric Horseman Express will ascend approximately 1,850 vertical feet in about six minutes, whisking skiers and snowboarders to the top of Red's Lift at Bearclaw Summit. This development will provide much-anticipated, streamlined access to both new and existing terrain in the area.
The terrain expansion will be rolled out in stages. For the 2025-2026 winter season, skiers can look forward to exploring 60 new acres, featuring nine new trails – a mix of seven advanced and two intermediate runs. This initial phase, dubbed the "Far East expansion," will include a scenic groomed run along the Far East Ridge, offering panoramic 360-degree views stretching from Utah Valley to Heber Valley.
The full impact of the expansion will be realized in the 2026-2027 season with the opening of the Electric Horseman Express. This will unlock the remaining 105 acres of new terrain, including an entirely new bowl adjacent to the popular Bishop's Bowl, referred to as the "New Bowl expansion."
"These are some of our biggest milestones," commented Chad Linebaugh, the resort's President and General Manager, on the new projects. He emphasized that these developments are key components of "Act II," the comprehensive plan initiated after Storyteller Canyon Investments acquired the resort in December 2020. Czar Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, added, “The addition of the Electric Horseman Express will transform how our guests experience the back mountain, allowing skiers and riders to lap all of the new and existing terrain in a single high-speed lift ride.”
This on-mountain development is complemented by significant enhancements to resort amenities. The new 63-room "Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort" is anticipated to welcome guests as early as Christmas 2025 or early 2026. The ski-in/ski-out inn is designed with environmental sensitivity, ensuring structures do not exceed the height of the surrounding trees, in line with Sundance's longstanding commitment to preservation.
These latest announcements follow a series of recent upgrades under the "Act II" vision, including the Outlaw Express lift (2021), the Wildwood lift (2022), an improved snowmaking system, expanded parking, and the recently opened Mountain Camp Day Lodge, which centralizes guest services.
Resort officials state that this is Sundance's most significant mountain expansion since 1985, aiming to elevate the guest experience considerably while honoring the unique spirit and natural beauty that has defined Sundance for decades. The expansion is expected to provide more varied terrain for locals and make the resort an even more compelling destination for visitors.
