Recently I went Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain. I’ve said before but snowshoeing is tough. In fact, it might be the toughest sport in my opinion. While my spouse nordic skied; I opted for something more my pace and snowshoes.
About Sundance Mountain:
In 1969, Robert Redford bought land that is now known as Sundance. His goal was the growth of a community committed to the balance of art, nature, and community.
Sundance is inspired by the Ute tribes that first inhabited the canyon through the early 20th century. It was developed into a ski resort called Timp Haven by the second generation of Stewarts.
In 1981, the Sundance Institute was founded at the Sundance Mountain Resort, followed by the Sundance Catalog in 1988. You can find more information about Sundance Mountain Resort here.
About Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain:
If you want to Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain, there are 10k of trails. When I went, there were about 5k of trails open due to avalanche danger.
Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain Quick Facts:
Snowshoes: rental from Sundance Mountain
CamelBak Zephyr 10L Running Vest
Crash Polartec 2.0 Tights and Crash Polartec 2.0 Jacket
It was about 18 degrees and roughly 3 feet of snow when I went. It actually never felt like that cold, but I attribute that to wearing a lot of layers. It costs $28 for snowshoes and a trail pass, and $8 for boots. I did both, and I’m glad I did. To get to snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain, you’ll start at the Nordic Center. Getting there, you pass the downhill ski resort where everyone seems to park. You wonder, is anyone actually going this way because it feels like you go down an abandoned road. Finally, you pop out at the less crowded Nordic Center.
My spouse, nordic skiied, and I decided to snowshoe. The Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain follow first the red trail and then the yellow trail into “honeymoon meadows.” I’m not really sure I ever saw the meadow, but I followed the entire trail. The woman that rented me the snowshoes said it should take an hour to cover the entire trail. It took me 90 minutes, but I don’t think I’m “good” at snowshoeing.
Anyway, the first part of Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain goes up a fairly substantial climb. The entire segment was about 600 feet of climbing, which for 2 miles and 3 feet of snow is a lot. I felt like I was always climbing, and I wondered if it would be for a reward or just a loop.
The Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain crosses the nordic tracks a few times, but it is easy to follow, and I didn’t have any issues. Around 1.25, you reach a gorgeous view of the mountains. I felt like I had accomplished something. You continue along with the yellow until you reach the red and back home. Going down the steep grade of trail snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain might be more challenging than going up. I was proud I didn’t fall, but it was fairly close.
I made it back to the start in 1:32. To be honest, I think Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain is one of the hardest snowshoe tracks I’ve ever done. But then again, I could just be out of shape.
I would love to come back to Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain when more trails are open. It definitely looks like a nice spot to snowshoe.
Other snowshoe adventures: Hill and Dell Snowshoeing Trail (Mt. Shasta)
Questions for you:
Have you ever been Snowshoeing at Sundance Mountain?
Do you like snowshoeing?