Sundance Mountain Resort plans new Electric Horseman Express - Expanding Summit

(Sundance, UT News) Perched at a breathtaking 8,240 feet atop Sundance Mountain Resort, Bearclaw Cabin feels close enough to touch the clouds—like a stepladder away from heaven. From the comfort of a lounge chair outside, skiers and snowboarders can soak in panoramic views of Utah Lake, Heber Valley, and the rugged, snow-draped peaks that surround them.

But for all its beauty, Bearclaw Cabin has long shared one not-so-charming feature: it’s tough to reach—and occasionally accompanied by the less-than-welcome scent of pit toilets. That’s about to change.

On Tuesday, Sundance Resort announced a major expansion that will make the journey to Bearclaw Cabin significantly easier by the 2026–27 ski season. Central to the plan is the new Electric Horseman Express, a high-speed, four-person lift named after the 1979 Robert Redford and Jane Fonda film. This new lift will provide smoother access from the Mountain Camp lots near the base of Jake’s Lift, eliminating the uphill grind for most guests.

The expansion includes 165 acres of previously untouched terrain and comes alongside another exciting development: the debut of the 63-room Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort, expected to open as early as Christmas. According to Chad Linebaugh, Sundance’s CEO and general manager, the projects represent key moments in the resort’s evolution.

“These are some of our biggest milestones,” Linebaugh told The Salt Lake Tribune. “Probably a couple of the biggest pieces of Act II.”

“Act II” refers to a series of upgrades under Storyteller Canyon Investments, which acquired the resort from Robert Redford in December 2020. Redford, who founded Sundance in 1981, built the resort near Provo Canyon, north of Orem, to reflect his values of art, nature, and conservation.

The resort plans to preview its terrain expansion next season by opening 60 acres and nine new trails—seven black diamonds and two blue runs—accessible via Red’s Lift. The remaining 105 acres, featuring six more intermediate and advanced trails, are scheduled to open in 2026–27, reachable by both the new Electric Horseman and existing lifts like Red’s.

The base of the Electric Horseman lift will be located near the Wildwood Lift on the southeastern edge of the resort. From there, it will likely become the main artery to Bearclaw Summit and its surrounding runs. The Red’s and Flathead lifts will still operate during high-traffic days, offering flexibility and capacity when needed.

“On those busier days, busier weekends, we can still run those lifts,” Linebaugh said. “We may not run those lifts on other days because the new lift will cover all that terrain.”

This terrain expansion marks Sundance’s most significant growth since 1985. In recent years, the resort has been steadily building access, with milestones like the Outlaw Express (its first high-speed lift, installed in 2021), the Wildwood area opening in 2022, and ongoing snowmaking improvements enhancing the skiing experience.

With sweeping views, modernized access, and more terrain to explore than ever, Bearclaw Cabin and the summit it crowns are set to become a new pinnacle of adventure at Sundance.

For more information contact Sundance Utah Cabin Rentals - Sundance Lodging