10 Outdoor Winter Activities at Sundance Mountain Resort & Midway, Utah
Winter in Utah is an exciting time—there are dozens of winter activities to enjoy the “greatest snow on earth”, from skiing to snow tubing and beyond. One of the coziest and most beautiful ski resorts is Robert Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort, located in Provo Canyon between Provo and Heber. Nearby is the small town of Midway, Utah which is the perfect winter town.
Plan a long weekend exploring all that this town and ski resort have to offer. The city of Midway is about 20 minutes from Sundance Mountain Resort, so you’ll need a car to experience all the attractions in the areas. Here are ten of the best activities and where to stay and eat while you’re there.
Check out my guide to Salt Lake City for more information about ski resorts in Utah.
Activities in Sundance Mountain Resort & Midway, Utah
Ice Castles
Near Heber, ice castles in Midway, Utah are one of the biggest draws to this little Swiss town during the winter. The ice castles typically open in January and last until February. With such a short season, the ice castles are very popular, attracting locals from Salt Lake City and Park City, as well as visitors from around the world.
Book a tour in advance and bring your whole family to experience the joy of the beautiful castles. Besides wandering around inside an ice castle, there are several activities there, including ice slides, sleigh rides (if booked in advance) and fountains that light up. It’s an enchanting place that has become a regular Midway, Utah winter tradition for many.
Skiing/Snowboarding at Sundance Mountain Resort
Sundance Resort skiing is great for both families and thrill seekers. The setting of the ski slopes, lined with evergreen trees that stand out beautifully against the snow, can’t be beat. For beginners to skiing, the bunny hill with the Handle Tow at the bottom of the slopes is the perfect place to practice. Advanced skiers can enjoy starting at the top of Red’s Lift (where the best views of Utah Valley and Heber Valley are found) and soaring down the black diamond trails.
Though Sundance Mountain Resort is smaller than other ski resort throughout Utah, there are four major lifts that offer a variety of scenery and experiences. Sundance ski resort hours for their main office are from 8:30am to 4:30pm daily (open until 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). The Sundance lifts are accessible from 9am until about 4pm on most days, but with night skiing available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Homestead Crater
Located in the same resort that is home to the Midway Ice Castles, Homestead Crater is a natural hot water crater where visitors can soak, snorkel, and scuba dive. The crater is a cave with an opening at the top that allows for natural lighting to enter. Swimming inside it is a unique experience that attracts people from all over, so advanced reservations are strongly recommended.
Most activities within the Homestead Crater are limited to 40 minute or hour-long increments, but that is plenty of time to take in the experience and the soothing effects of the warm water. For scuba divers, underwater sights include a ship wheel with skeletons on it, toy sea creatures, and white squares to swim through. Rental gear is available at the crater and lifejackets are required for all swimmers.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
In a setting against the Wasatch Mountains, this Utah state park is one of the most beautiful places to go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Rent snowshoes, skis, and other equipment from the visitor center for cheap and then hit the trails! Sights along the trails include trees, ponds, and views of the neighborhoods and town of Midway.
Soldier Hollow Snow Tubing
Solider Hollow, near Midway, Utah, is an exciting place to zoom down a frozen hill on a snow tube. Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, this venue has several courses that can be enjoyed by all ages. Just grab a snow tube, ride the conveyor belt to the top of the hill, and then hop on for a speedy ride. Cruise down the hill with your group connected to each other or race your friends on separate tracks.
Heber Valley Railroad
Photo by Brandon Green on Unsplash
If you want to take in glorious snowy sights from the warmth of indoors, hop on a Heber Valley Railroad train ride! They have several ride options, but the best for winter views is the Lakeside Limited ride. You can order lunch to eat on your 2-hour ride, as you take in stunning scenery, from the Wasatch Mountains to Deer Creek Reservoir and wildlife in Midway.
Snowmobiling
Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
Adventure lovers will want to take advantage of the Utah snow on a snowmobile ride. Starting at Wasatch Mountain State Park, Wasatch Excursions offers snowmobile rentals and guided tours. The guided tours are great for inexperienced snowmobilers or visitors unfamiliar with the area. If you’re confident in your abilities, do a self-guided tour of the nearby mountains and create your own adventure! For larger groups, rent a UTV that fits up to six people.
Sundance ZipTour
Back at Sundance Mountain Resort, if you don’t want to ski or snowboard, opt to do the winter Sundance ZipTour instead. Book in advance to ride Ray’s Lift and then zip down Outlaw Span, the longest zipline at the resort. The ZipTour is exhilarating and offers incredible views of Sundance and the surrounding mountains. Be sure to dress warm—you’ll be going at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.
Read my Costa Rica guide and my experience in New Zealand for more adventurous ziplining tales.
Midway Ice Rink
On Main Street in Midway, a local outdoor ice skating rink provides fun for visitors and locals to the area. The ice can be uneven and bumpy and the rink is small, but those don’t get in the way of it being an exciting experience of skating outdoors, surrounded by gorgeous Utah mountain scenery. Rental skates are available at the rink, which can be enjoyed every afternoon and most evenings.
Zermatt Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub
If you book a stay at Zermatt Resort, you will have full access to their indoor pool, outdoor pool, and outdoor hot tub. This is one of the best features of the resort during the winter—all the water is heated and creates a mystical atmosphere when the hot steam and cold outdoor air meet. Don’t even worry about hopping out of the water and walking in the cold to get from one pool to the other—there is a tunnel you can swim under that connects the outdoor pool to the indoor pool.
Hotels in Midway & Sundance
Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Zermatt is one of the most popular resorts in Midway, Utah. The Swiss-inspired hotel is decorated with rustic, woodsy patterns that will make you feel comfortable from the moment you enter the property. Amenities in the hotel include a spa and sauna area, connected to the fitness center, a free shuttle to local attractions, and use of the pools and hot tubs mentioned above.
Homestead Resort Midway Utah
The Homestead, across the street from Zermatt, is another of the finest resorts in Midway, Utah. From any room within the resort, visitors can easily walk to both the Homestead Crater and the Midway Ice Castles. Many rooms come with a view of the gorgeous golf course below. Visitors can enjoy their spacious pools and hot tubs—one even provides mineral water from the crater.
WorldMark Midway Utah
Midway, Utah hotels are known for their inviting atmospheres and WorldMark is no exception. This Swiss chalet timeshare, available to members of Club Wyndham, is a great place to stay if your family plans to take regular trips to Midway, Utah. The rooms come fully furnished and include access to the pool, hot tub, arcade room, and recreation center.
Blue Boar Inn
This highly rated bed and breakfast in Midway provides an upscale experience nestled inside a beautiful building that looks like a castle or large cottage straight out of a fairytale. The award-winning inn is elegant, yet cozy, with one of the best restaurants in the state of Utah connected to it.
Sundance Mountain Resort
Midway resorts aren’t the only great places to stay in this area—Sundance Mountain Resort has its own lodging, perfect for visitors who want to spend most of their time in the mountains. Lodging options range from intimate suites to mountain homes that can fit a whole family. Sundance offers several specials to make your stay even better, such as their packages that include breakfast, a spa treatment, or an art studio class.
Restaurants in Midway & Sundance
Foundry Grill
Sundance’s Foundry Grill is the perfect place to sit down and fill up on warm, carefully crafted food after a long day of skiing. When dining, you can’t go wrong with the brussels sprouts, charcuterie board, or any of the mains.
The Corner
The Corner, located on the corner of Midway’s main street and 200 West, serves incredible dinners, from their short rib stroganoff and pork schnitzel, to their oversized slices of carrot cake.
Tree Room
The Tree Room is an upscale restaurant at Sundance Mountain Resort, built around a real tree that resides in the center of the room. The award-winning cuisine uses only the finest ingredients, many of which are grown locally.
Wildfire Smokehaus
Located in Zermatt, Wildfire Smokehaus is a great place to eat for lovers of down-to-earth cooking. There is a large variety of selections to choose from, but a popular crowd pleaser is always the hillbilly fries.
Sundance Deli
Sundance Deli is the perfect place to grab a quick bite between ski runs. Order an oversized sandwich, salad, pastries, and other deli classics and then dine outside with views of the slopes.
Heber Valley Milk & Artisan Cheese
Visit a local Midway farm, Heber Valley Milk and Artisan Cheese, for an incredible culinary experience. Taste over two dozen artisan cheeses, tour the dairy farm, or take a mozzarella-making class!
Owl Bar
Need a drink after exhausting yourself on the slopes at Sundance Mountain Resort? Head to the Owl Bar for a fun time and a creative cocktail. They also serve food, such as nachos, burgers, and sweet potato hummus.
Blue Boar Inn Restaurant
Last, but certainly not least, is the Blue Boar Inn Restaurant. The cuisine here is nationally and internationally acclaimed for its divine attention to detail and careful selection of ingredients and cooking methods, served as a three-course meal.
Besides Southern Utah’s five national parks, there’s no place I’d rather spend a Utah winter than in Midway and Sundance Mountain Resort. The exciting outdoor activities and the beautiful mountain settings provide unforgettable ways to experience the greatest snow on earth!
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