PLANETSKI HEADS TO ZERMATT: THE ONE IN UTAH NOT SWITZERLAND
15th January 2020
Last modified on May 16th, 2021
We didn’t know there was another resort called Zermatt. It is not so much a resort as a base to try snowsports activities & nearby ski areas.
It is based in the town of Midway that lies half-way between the resorts of Park City & Deer Valley and the smaller resort of Sundance.
The Swiss came to settle here in the 19th century and their presence is reflected in the architecture of Zermatt Resort & Spa + the town itself.
Zermatt Resort & Spa, Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Zermatt Resort & Spa, Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Zermatt Resort & Spa, Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
See more here about Zermatt, Utah
The ski lift to Deer Valley is around 15 minutes away and the resort of Sundance is 30-minutes in the opposite direction down Highway 89.
I had already skied Deer Valley on this trip.
So, it was off to Sundance.
The drive along Highway 89 was spectacular even with low cloud.
The road to Sundance. Image © PlanetSKI.
Though wait till you see the pictures and videos later as I drove back after skiing with a truly fabulous sunset taking place.
Lower down this article we take a look at the skiing.
And now we have updated with details on the resort itself
SUNDANCE: THE VILLAGE
The base area nestles in the trees at the foot of the mountain.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
The buildings are wooden and ooze charm.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
With spots to relax after skiing.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
As mentioned in the earlier video the food is delicious – fresh & local ingredients and all superbly cooked.
Whether you are in one of the main restaurants or simply grabbing a sandwich.
“The ethos of Sundance is to bring art and nature together in order to enhance both of them,” said the marketing and PR manager, Abby Brock, to me.
“People come here to escape from the norm and to experience something different and to find their inner-self. There are locals from less well-off backgrounds and the rich and famous alike,” she added.
Abby Brock, Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
After skiing I went for a tour of the Arts Centre.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
People were learning pottery and there were examples of the glass blown and the jewellery made.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
In the base buildings there were photos of The Sundance Kid himself with his children.
He is not involved in the day to day running of the resort anymore, but his daughter Shauna is creative director while his grandson Conor is fully involved on a day-to-day basis.
There are plays, musical events and a host of artistic activities.
Native Americans come to recount their life stories.
And make hats.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
It really is a ski resort like no other and the local ski hill to Zermatt and Midway.
And as promised the views as we drove back to Zermatt…
The road from Sunshine to Midway. Image © PlanetSKI.
It was going to be hard to beat the day in Sundance, but the next day I tried my hardest.
Away from the downhill ski slopes.
Activities nearby Zermatt in Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Activities nearby Zermatt in Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
Activities nearby Zermatt in Midway, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
SUNDANCE: THE SKIING
I have skied in Sundance a few times over the years and was delighted to be back – it is one of my favourite small ski areas of anywhere in the world.
Why?
First the skiing:
It is not huge with just 4 lifts and a free tow rope for beginners.
Sundance Piste Map
But off the lifts is some of the best in-bounds terrain in this part of the mountains – steep, deep and challenging.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
And usually there is barely a soul around
My guide for the day was Max Jensen.
A Yorkshire lass who knows Sundance and indeed the whole of this part of Utah like the back of her hand.
She has lived here for many years working in the tourism industry and is now director of International Tourism & Travel with Zermatt Resort & Spa.
We hit the groomers, the steeps and soaked up the spectacular scenery.
Sundance Resort, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI.
I rattled off a quick snow report for another part of the PlanetSKI web site:
And with that we carried on.
And at the end of the day I decided to give it one of the much-coveted PlanetSKI awards.
Like all PlanetSKI awards it was spontaneous, unplanned and made up on the hoof.
Its crafts, its arts, its connection to nature, its environmental approach – and all this has been going on for decades.
Years before it became trendy and de rigueur to claim environmental credentials.
The resort is owned by Robert Redford and was established in 1969.
This year it celebrates its 50th birthday.
