Sundance

Nestled in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos, the second-highest peak in the Wasatch, is the private preserve of Sundance. Only 450 of its 6000 acres are devoted to skiing; much of the rest helps protect the stunning beauty of the area. The history of Sundance goes back to the 1950s, when a local family, the Stewarts, operated a ski area on the site called Timphaven. It was a one-chair, one-rope tow operation. In 1969 actor Robert Redford bought the area and surrounding land from the Stewarts and created Sundance. He resisted the temptation to turn the place into a large-scale resort and instead focused on creating a comfortable atmosphere where artistic expression and environmental education would go hand-in-hand with a low-key resort experience.