In 1974, a single line from a movie rerouted Robert Redford’s life, transforming a Hollywood star into the architect of a soulful ski empire.
The line: “I love that moment.”
It came from a scene in The Great Gatsby, according to Far Out Magazine. Redford’s character, Jay Gatsby, speaks of seizing a fleeting, pure instant. The actor later said it resonated with his own longing for authenticity beyond Hollywood.
That moment led to a purchase. In the late 1960s, Redford had already bought land in Utah’s Wasatch Range, near Mount Timpanogos. But the 1974 line crystallized his vision. He wanted a rustic, low-impact ski retreat—not a glitzy commercial resort.
The result: Sundance Resort.
“I love that moment” became a philosophy. Redford built Sundance as a soulful escape, not a luxury destination. The NZ Herald describes it as a “rustic escape” with wood-fired cabins, hidden trails, and a deliberate lack of neon signs. Guests ski unplugged. They watch quiet sunsets. The resort’s ethos: preserve the land’s natural soul.
Key facts from the NZ Herald article: Sundance sits on 600 acres. It has 47 rooms and suites, all built with local stone and timber. No condos. No high-rise hotels. Redford insisted on limiting development to protect the environment.
Contrast with commercial ski resorts:
| Feature | Sundance Resort | Typical Commercial Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Ski terrain | 450 acres, 41 trails | 1,000+ acres, high-speed lifts |
| Accommodation | 47 rustic cabins | 500+ hotel rooms, condos |
| Atmosphere | Silence, wood fire, no neon | Loud bars, retail, nightlife |
| Environmental policy | Low-impact, solar-powered | High energy use, snowmaking |
Redford’s broader career mirrors this line. The Sundance Film Festival emerged from the same ethos—supporting authentic storytelling. His environmental activism, from solar panels to conservation, echoes “I love that moment.” In 2020, he retired from acting, but the resort remains his living legacy.
The 1974 line didn’t just define a scene. It crafted a sanctuary. Sundance stands as proof that a moment of clarity can shape a legacy of soul, snow, and silence.
Plan your own escape at Sundance. Every trail whispers the line that started it all.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the 1974 line that changed Robert Redford’s life?
- A: The line ‘I love that moment’ from the movie ‘The Great Gatsby’ resonated with Redford’s longing for authenticity, inspiring him to create Sundance Resort.
- Q: How did Robert Redford build Sundance Resort?
- A: Redford bought land in Utah’s Wasatch Range in the late 1960s and, after the 1974 movie moment, developed a rustic, low-impact ski retreat with wood-fired cabins, hidden trails, and strict limits on development.
- Q: What makes Sundance Resort different from typical ski resorts?
- A: Sundance is a soulful escape with 47 rustic cabins on 600 acres, no neon signs, no high-rise hotels, and a focus on silence and nature, contrasting with large commercial resorts that have hundreds of rooms and loud bars.
Extended Reading
Sources: Far Out Magazine, “The 1974 movie line that defined the rest of Robert Redford’s life”; NZ Herald, “Inside Robert Redford’s rustic Sundance escape in Utah’s Wasatch Range.”