Oh, what do you do in the summertime when all of Sundance is green?
While skiers and boarders rule the snow-covered mountains in Provo Canyon's North Fork during winter, hikers, bikers and horse riders take the reins when the slopes shed their icy skin.Abundant snow and heavy spring rains tossed an inviting outdoor salad in the bowl at the base of Mount Timpanogos. The dressing is up to you.
Robert Redford's rustic retreat offers a plethora of summer activities ranging from the strenuous to the effortless. And they're not just for the beautiful people. Locals can get in on the action at reasonable prices.
There's mountain biking and hiking through tall timber and open meadows for the adventurous.
There's picnicking, browsing and fine dining for the more leisurely types. People watching (stargazing?) or strolling along a gurgling stream make for a fine weekend afternoon. Movies, plays and local and international art shows round out the Sundance experience.
Redford bought the rugged sheep-herding country from the Stewart family in 1969 with the notion of turning it into an arts, nature and recreation center, not just a ski area. The canyon on the eastern side of Mount Timpanogos has become a bustling, year-round destination resort.
"What you're seeing is that vision and that community being fulfilled," said Laurie Bott, marketing director.
Sundance has something for everyone, including children.
- On two wheels. Mountain biking starts at Ray's Lift at the Sundance Village base. There are two ways up the 1,000 vertical feet to Ray's Summit: sitting on a chair lift or churning on two wheels. Either mode offers access to 20 miles of single track and road through some awe-inspiring scenery. Most of the trails are rated intermediate to expert and helmets are required. This isn't the tame Provo River Parkway Trail that parallels U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon.
Undulating paths to Scott's Pond or around the new Boneyard Loop wind through aromatic pines and swaying aspens as well as across fern-filled meadows. Cyclists could spend an entire hot summer day in the forest shade if they plan their ride correctly.
But there's really no set route on this mountain, although trail intersections are marked. Go uphill. Go downhill. It's up to you and your legs.
"You can ride this stuff pretty much any way you want," said Sundance mountain safety director Darce Trotter, who, along with his crew, mapped and built the trail system. "This is kind of a you-are-here thing."
Sundance provides detailed trail guides to help riders pick their way up or down the mountainside.
The mountain is open for biking seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All-day biking passes - whether you ride the lift or not - are $12. Half-day passes (starting at 2:30 p.m.) run $10 and twilight passes (starting at 4:30 p.m.) are $6.
- On two feet. Hiking also starts at Ray's Lift. Sundance ferries hikers to Ray's Summit for $5. There trails shoot off in three directions.
The most popular path leads to Stewart Falls. The 2.75-mile hike to the cascading waters on snow-capped Mount Timpanogos' rocky back side takes about two hours. And though the hike isn't tough, you're likely to get your feet wet below some cliff bands, where several large springs run out of the rock. Hikers also must cross the creek to reach the return trail to Sundance.
(Stewart Falls also can be reached outside Sundance from Aspen Grove, a few miles up U-92.)
The Black Forest Loop is a little shorter than the Stewart Falls hike, but takes about the same amount of time. The Expedition Trail section of the 2-mile hike has a short run of steeper parts, so watch your footing.
The Arrowhead Summit Trail offers the hardy hiker a splendid view of the southern Wasatch, Utah Valley and Heber Valley. The warming hut isn't open in the summer, but feel free to kick back on the deck to spy hawks and eagles. Round trip from Ray's Summit is 5 miles and average hiking time is 3 to 4 hours.
If you're not inclined to hike or bike, scenic lift rides are available for $5.
- In the saddle. Horseback riding begins at the Sundance Stables, about 2 miles above Sundance Village just off U-92. (Watch for the signs.) Gentle trail horses pack riders to Stewart Falls and Arrowhead Summit as well as two other areas. Rides range from $35 to $100 per person depending on the length. All trips are guided and begin with a short arena lesson. Children must be age 8 or older.
- Where a kid can be a kid. The snow-capped mountains surrounding Sundance aren't just for horse trekkers and cyclists. They're also for students.
"We use the mountain as a classroom and do lots of science experiments, hands-on activities and observation," said Julie Hooker, director of Sundance Kids Camp.
Children ages 6 to 11 could find themselves on a bug safari or creating works of art or talking to a Ute tribal chief about Native American culture.
"The kids are having so much fun, they don't know that they're learning," said Hooker, an Orem school teacher when she's not running the day camp. "It's totally kid oriented and they're having a blast with it. And so are we."
Hooker said the activities, especially the dramatic arts, boosts kids' self-esteem, gives them a better sense of themselves and help them grow personally.
The program runs Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Aug. 22. The one-day ($29), three-day ($75) or six-day ($135) camps include art, nature and recreational experiences as well as discussions about animals and the environment. The fees include lunch and a T-shirt.
- Paint your heart out. Grammy Award-winning artist Jann Haworth directs Art Shack and coordinates Sundance's art exhibitions. Haworth and other artists-in-residence provide instruction in a variety of arts and crafts nearly every day. Drawing, sculpting and printmaking are among the course offerings.
Beginners are more than welcome.
"You don't have to have any experience whatsoever," said Haworth, who co-designed the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album cover. "Within hours you have kind of catapulted into that skill."
The two-hour sessions (Cost: $25, including materials) are geared to teaching people to do art on their own.
And Haworth said the "storybook" setting at the base of Mount Timpanogos is the ideal place for people to get in touch with the artist in them.
"It's simply magic," she said. "People come here and they feel very open and lifted by those mountains."
- Stage and screen. The Sundance Summer Theater is currently presenting "Gypsy" Mondays through Saturdays. The nightly performances run through Aug. 29.
The Sundance Children's's Theatre is performing "Out of the Frying Pan" through Aug. 8. Matinees are scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays.
And what would the headquarters of the Sundance Film Festival be without movies? The Sundance Theater movie series featuring five Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals begins Sunday, July 19, on the outdoor screen of the Eccles Stage. "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "The King & I," "South Pacific" and "The Sound of Music" will play at 8:30 p.m. on consecutive Sundays. Admission is free.