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Sundance Allows Snowboarding: Another |
Mt. Baker Sees Serious Snowfall (12-28-96) Letter From Little Cottonwood Canyon (12-17-96) |
| The number of resorts in Utah that ban snowboarding on their hills has
lost yet another member. The Sundance Resort in Utah County lifted its ban
on snowboarding February 28th; ending a four year policy of not welcoming
snowboarders to its slopes.
Bob Arrivillaga, Sundance's national sales manager said the move was made because the resort was seeing dwindling numbers across the table. "Our skier count was way down and we were looking for ways to inject some enthusiasm back into the Mountain," he said. "Our surveys showed that we were essentially shutting out on a great opportunity and so we decided to put the welcome mat back out for snowboarders." Arrivillaga knew there might be some skeptics, but overall the last two months of the season were a huge success. "Thank God snowboarders are forgiving," Arrivillaga said. "Our numbers shot up immediately and we think reuniting skiers and snowboarders on our mountain was the right move." Sundance's owner the actor/director/producer Robert Redford was said to have made the final decision, according to Arrivillaga. "He is very involved and the final nod was his." However Mr. Redford never logged any board time this year, but that may change now that he can ride at his own mountain. Sundance now taps into a huge clientele of snowboarders in the Utah County area that includes two major colleges; Brigham Young University in Provo, and Utah Valley State College in Orem. Sundance saw an immediate growth in one specific demographic. "Almost from day one the College age female demographic showed tremendous growth, and that's a group that we were always on the low side of attracting," Arrivillaga said. The Sundance vitals are as follows: 450 ridable acres of terrain, serviced by 3 lifts, one of which is a quad. A day pass at Sundance during the 97-98 season will cost $35, a season pass $500. The best bargain according to Arrivillaga is the Utah resident 10-pass for only $200. "These are totally transferable and redeemable for the following season". On mountain Sundance has a bar, a new restaurant, a new general store, plus the newly refurbished Tree Room Restaurant. This in addition to more than 95 cottages for lodging. Sundance Opened the 96-97 season on December 13th and closed on April 6th. "All in all we think next year will be tremendous for both our skiers and snowboarders," says Arrivillaga. No official word yet on whether or not Utah's last remaining holdouts, Alta and Deer Valley, will rescind their no snowboarding policy, but we can only hope. For more information on Sundance you can call (801) 225-4107 or check out their web page at http://www.Sundance-utah.com. |
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