Day 2 at Sundance Mountain Resort
Ray's Chair at Sundance Mountain Resort. There may be 5 chairlifts here, I am not sure, no high speed. By design. Rustic.
It is Wednesday morning and 12" of fresh snow fell last night. The snow is good. Our plan is to get to the lifts for first runs, but Bob's business calls go a little over. We are on mountain by 9:30, though, so all is good. It is overcast and the top is socked in. Let the games begin.
First of all, I am an east coast skier and can ski ice all day, but powder freaks me out. I need to keep forward and crank my boots up tight. That is my mantra. It does not always work. It does not work today, but whatever. I will persevere. Bob, meanwhile, can ski anything and pops in and out of trees, down little ravines, etc. We meet at the bottom of the lift.
Views from the base and the slopes at Sundance Mountain Resort. I think I am on Bearclaw trail right now, trying not to fall from the fresh powder laid down last night.
After a few runs, we pop into Bearclaw Cabin at the top of the mountain, as I am sucking wind. We are skiing in the clouds. There is a bit of altitude going on. We warm up for a few and then head back out. The bottom of the mountain is sunny and the skiing is easier. Meaning groomed. God, I am getting old.
The interior and exterior of Bearclaw Cabin on the top of Sundance. Again, rustic but well done. Ski food that is well-executed (we did not eat here but it looked good!). A quick warm up for two minutes while I take pictures and then we are back on hill.
After a few more hours, it is time to call it, since Bob has business to attend to, but not before we explore the base area a bit and have a bite to eat. There is no main lodge per se (we changed into our boots on a bench outside and put our stuff in an outdoor locker). But there is a rental shop/outfitters, a deli, The Creekside Cafe, a general store, two restaurants (the Foundry Grill and the Tree Room), plus the Owl Bar. Time to snap some photos.
Pictures primarily of the general store, which mimics the Sundance catalog of women’s clothing and jewelry, with some glassware and handmade soaps from the art studio on premise. I threw in one photo of the deli, two of Creekside Cafe and one poster of “the man”. Robert Redford, shredding it up 70’s style. Way too cool for most of us. He spends time here, but was not around while we were. I asked.
We stop into the Foundry for a quick bite before we go back to the room for Bob's calls and order a charcuterie board and a glass of wine. This plate is a thing of beauty.
Two kinds of locally-procured cheese, two kinds of locally produced dried sausage, some boar ham, perfectly oiled and toasted house made raisin bread, picked beets and green beans, fresh sliced apple, local honeycomb, red pepper jelly (let’s just assume everything is local), some almonds and flatbread. It’s what’s for lunch.
After this delectable snack, we head back to the room so that Bob can work and I can power nap! I get up and blog for an hour or two, shower, and before you know it, it is time to meet Bob's business companion for a pre-dinner conference at the Owl Bar.
The three pictures I was able to take at the Owl Bar before I was told that picture-taking was not allowed at the Owl Bar. My bad. Note the photo of Robert Redford and Paul Newman over the saddle. Dreamy.
I have been excited to go to the Owl Bar, as the actual bar was moved from Wyoming to Utah, and allegedly Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang used to frequent this bar back in the day. Again, too cool for the rest of us. I do manage to get a picture of the bar in before I am told to stop it (I did not know, I usually ask), so enjoy. The bar is cozy and yes, rustic. A great apres-ski spot. The guys talk business and prepare for their meeting. I will be dining alone by choice. Opting out. We are all having dinner at the Foundry, but I have a table for one.
The beautiful artwork, cozy interior and delicious food served at The Foundry at Sundance Resort. I want almost every painting I see here.
I am seated at the bar and I am all alone and this makes me happy. I, of course, chit chat with the broiler chef who I am seated in front of, plus my waiter. Nice guys. I peruse the menu and it all looks good. They have specialty drinks called "The Natural" and the "Butch Cassidy". Because of course they do. I don't get either of them, but for my first course I choose thin-cut lamb loin chops with smoked yogurt sauce and an arugula salad. The chops are salt-forward but I am ok with that, the yogurt sauce is perfect and the salad comes with hard-boiled eggs that have been pickled in beet juice for 3 - 4 days. Cool! For the main course I have risotto with corn, red pepper, mushrooms, arugula and pesto. I was worried the corn would be odd but it adds a pop of sweetness and texture that I really love! After dinner I head back to the room. The guys are still being all business-like, I can see them but they can't see me. Calling it a night.
The “Art Shack” at Sundance is actually a very well-equipped art studio with spaces for glass-blowing, drawing, painting, encaustic, pottery, soap-making, and more. Lessons twice a day for anyone willing to take them.
The next morning Bob is out early for meetings, so I decide to sign myself up for a drawing class. It starts at 10:00am so I get an early breakfast of avocado toast (it is yummy) and then head to the Art Shack. It is a well-equipped art studio with spaces for different mediums, including pottery, glass, painting, drawing, soap-making, jewelry making and more. I arrive on time and it appears it is a class of one. So Annie, my instructor, gives me two hours of one-on-one drawing instruction. I have taken art classes since I was five, but it's been a while since I picked up the pencil. We choose a landscape photo from on property and execute it three ways: pencil, charcoal and ink pen. It is fun and the time goes by fast. It is now noon and time to leave Sundance. But a few photos first. It is a bluebird day.
Views of Sundance Resort on a beautiful and sunny day. It’s a special place, focused on art and nature. Please get yourself here.
It has been an amazing and relaxing time at Sundance, and I would certainly come back again. There is something special going on here. Our next stop is Los Angeles (again, business), so please tune in soon and thank you for following Ann.