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SUNDANCE, Utah County — Sundance Mountain Resort last week announced construction will begin in the coming months for changes that will be in place for the 2021-2022 ski season.
The new additions announced Thursday were:
- Two new ski lifts and the retirement of the Rays lift
- Upgrades to snowmaking
- More parking
- Renovations to the Creekside building
Resort leaders said one of the new lifts will be a seven-minute, high-speed quad to Mandan Summit at the resort. The lift will provide access to slopes for experienced and intermediate skiers, as well as mid-station unloading for routes easier for beginners.
An additional fixed-grip lift will also be constructed to provide better access to the backside of the summit. The resort stated this lift will be used to provide more access to that area in the summertime. The resort is open during the non-snow season months with multiple outdoor activities available, including ziplining, mountain biking and hiking.
The resort announced it will also build a "snowmaking reservoir," which will help collect water for snow guns. The tools are used to create snow so a resort can open sooner if needed. The resort will also add 125 to 150 new parking spots to help address busier ski days.
"We are excited for what these improvements mean for the future of Sundance Mountain Resort," said Chad Linebaugh, the resort's president and general manager, in a statement Thursday.
Of course, the biggest change in Sundance's 52-year-old history is new ownership. Robert Redford had owned the facility since founding the resort in 1969 but sold it to Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners late last year.
The legendary actor said that he selected the new owners because they shared his values and promised to maintain the resort's "unique character."
"We knew that at the right time, and with the right people, we could make the transition," he said at the time.
He also donated more than 300 acres of land, including streams and wetlands in the area, to the organization Utah Open Lands for wildlife habitat and permanent protection against development.
Sundance's new owners announced that they would expand amenities at the time. The changes announced last week were selected after "considerable thought and desire to preserve existing lands and traditions" while also enhancing the visitor experience, according to resort staff.
The resort previously announced its current ski season will wrap up on April 4.
