Dear Robert Redford,
I recently read that you turned 86 and it reminded me to thank you for Sundance.
I grew up in nearby Provo and spent much of my childhood at Sundance, skiing, fishing, hiking, and eating your thick-sliced bread with honey butter at the lodge. And now, years later, here I am still enjoying Sundance with my children and grandchildren.
With that in mind, I have to say thank you for buying these 2,600 acres in 1969 with a vision of developing a little and preserving a lot. Thank you for not over-developing Sundance as so many other resorts have done. Thank you for not having 20 ski lifts but a few so that skiers can enjoy serious skiing while being awed by the views. Thank you for not building 25 hotels but allowing a smattering of cabins and lodges to provide sufficient accommodation while preserving the beautiful pines and aspens.
Thank you for the abundant mountain biking trails and the exhilarating hiking trail that leads to Stewart Falls where Jeremiah Johnson was once filmed, and for the Zip-Line which is arguably the scariest in the world. Thank you for the famous suckers at the lodge, the quaint ambience of the Grill and Tree Rooms, and the Sundance Summer Theater which has entertained us for years.
And after 50 years of ownership, thank you for selling Sundance to responsible investors who will make some upgrades but are deeply committed to carrying on your commitment to style and preservation and who recognize that Sundance is unique in all the world.
So, on behalf of many thousands who savor this haven, please accept our sincere thanks. You have pulled off what so few have done. We noticed and we are grateful.
Truly, Sundance is extraordinary, a place where art, nature, and recreation come together to make the world a better place. Your dream has come true. Your legacy lives on.
With admiration and appreciation,
Sean Covey, Alpine
