Warren Miller Entertainment honored the mark Robert Redford left on the ski industry by highlighting his time on film at Sundance Mountain Resort in Warren Miller’s 1986 movie “Beyond the Edge”:
“Redford’s legacy rides on in the ski and film community he helped build. Cheers to a life well lived.”
Redford founded Sundance Mountain Resort in 1969 and will be remembered for his indelible imprint on Utah ski culture. The folks at Sundance have created a memorial in the Resort Village at the Rehearsal Hall Pond, where people can pay their respect to Redford. Sundance is also hosting a “Chairlift Light Vigil” to celebrate the life and legacy of our founder, Robert Redford, on Thursday, September 18th from 8-10 PM.
“Guests will be provided a battery-powered candle and a complimentary ride on Outlaw Express. A minimum suggested donation of $5 will benefit the Sundance Nature Alliance. SNA was founded by Bob to preserve the natural land in and around the resort. Support of Nature Alliance was near and dear to his heart, as it is in ours.”
Read Sundance’s tribute to their founder below.
Sundance Mountain Resort Remembers Its Founder: Robert Redford’s Enduring Gift of Art, Nature, Recreation and Conservation
Today, the Sundance community honors its founder, Robert Redford. More than a Hollywood visionary and filmmaking legend, Robert Redford was a passionate steward of the land, an artist who championed creativity, and the heart behind Sundance Mountain Resort’s soul. A devoted environmental activist, storyteller and creator of place, Redford shaped Sundance Resort into a living canvas where inspiration flourishes and where wild beauty and human connection uplift one another. He saw Sundance Resort not only as a destination, but as a community for artists, adventurers and nature lovers – a place that balances his personal passions and offers space for every guest to feel grounded, inspired and connected all at once.
In 1969, captivated by the breathtaking majesty of Mount Timpanogos, Robert Redford saw the potential to create what is now known as Sundance Mountain Resort—not for development, but for protection. His vision was to create a sanctuary where art, nature, and community could exist in harmony, establishing a place that would inspire and sustain generations to come.
Redford’s belief that “Sundance has always been about storytelling” set the stage for the resort’s unique identity—a haven for creativity and conservation. In 1981, the founding of the Sundance Institute on this land sparked a movement in independent filmmaking, giving rise not only to iconic works nurtured in these mountains, but also to the legendary Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute. What began as a gathering to champion independent voices has become a global force in shaping the future of film and storytelling.
“With his generous spirit, kind nature, and artistic vision, Bob created something no one else could have built,” said Chad Linebaugh, President and General Manager of Sundance Mountain Resort. “Always looking ahead, his commitment to this canyon was a calling that went beyond love. The Sundance brand he built – rooted in this place – has touched so many lives and will continue to benefit generations who love this preserved land.”
For more than fifty years, Redford’s commitment to “develop a little and preserve a lot” has guided every step at Sundance Resort. Today, over 70% of the resort’s acreage remains protected through conservation easements, including the Redford Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve, allowing nature to thrive and creativity to flourish. Robert Redford’s legacy is more than a story from the past; it’s the foundation of Sundance Mountain Resort’s present and future. His enduring influence continues to shape this remarkable place—a living testament to the power of vision, stewardship, and the spirit of independent creativity.
Sundance Mountain Resort has created a memorial in the Resort Village at the Rehearsal Hall Pond, where guests and fans of Robert Redford are invited to pay their respects.
