Heavy snowfall causes safety and power issues at Sundance Mountain Resort, SR-92 closed today

Image of Mount Timpanogos taken from Roy's Lift at Sundance Resort. Photo: Katryna Vecella

UTAH COUNTY, Utah — Sundance Mountain Resort will open today for the first time this year after closing due to safety concerns on January first and second.

According to a statement made by the resort last night, hundreds of trees snapped in Provo Canyon over the weekend, affecting nearby power poles and causing a power outage. Rocky Mountain Power is still working to restore power to the canyon, which may take until Wednesday to complete. SR-92 closed at 10 a.m. today and will remain closed until dark to facilitate tree removal.

“There may be some intermittent openings but we would advise anyone who is coming to ski to plan to arrive at 10 am and stay until dark,” said a statement from Sundance Mountain Resort.

 

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The mountain had also received 52 inches of snow as of yesterday, and according to Chad Linebaugh, president and general manager at Sundance Mountain Resort, the snow contains 9 inches of water content.

“This snow is heavy, it’s dense, and it’s been very problematic and very very high avalanche risk,” Linebaugh said.

The resort is now running limited operations and has opened Outlaw Express, which will operate on auxiliary power, to certain resort patrons.

“We recognize the challenges this presents to many who want to be on the mountain and given the length of the anticipated outage and after further analysis of running one lift on diesel auxiliary power we have decided to open Outlaw Express only with limited terrain to season pass holders, S Card holders and lodging guests tomorrow (Tuesday, January 3),” said a statement from Sundance Mountain Resort. “We will not be selling any day passes.”

The beginner and Maverick terrain areas will not be open, but the resort has opened a small park on Stampede.

“With the limited terrain and single lift operating, lines will likely be long and we would encourage those who can wait to come once we have power restored and can operate all our lifts,” said a statement from Sundance Mountain Resort.