Sundance Ski Resort is Robert Redford's little piece of paradise. That may be a bold statement considering the spectacular topography of the state of Utah, but after having visited once, most people would be hard-pressed to suggest a mountain landscape that is more beautiful. An added bonus to the resort is that Redford, who owns it, has not allowed excessive development to obscure the natural beauty and scenery of the area. Development is not encouraged or sought in any form.

The skiing is quite good at Sundance, and although the steepness and vertical drop cannot rival that of Snowbird, the crowds don't match those of Little Cottonwood Canyon, either. This is a great place to come on a big powder day and can be well worth the longer drive from Salt Lake City. If you want a quiet, romantic ski weekend, Sundance is your resort. And who knows, you may pass the host himself—schussing the slopes dressed in his Sundance Kid garb, looking for would-be developers to run out of town.

Where: North Fork of the Provo Canyon, 55 minutes via I-15 from Salt Lake City or 40 minutes from Park City through the scenic Heber Valley.