With only three lifts and one tow, and a layout that lets skiers and riders see most of the terrain before experiencing it, it’s difficult to get in trouble at Sundance. Ray’s Lift, services the beginner and intermediate trails on the lower peak and feeds the upper two chairs, Flathead, which accesses expert terrain, and Arrowhead, the summit lift..

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Expert, Advanced: Head up Ray’s Lift and set your sights on the terrain up and to the left. To access the summit bowls, ride Arrowhead. Although most of the bowl terrain is au natural, there’s usually a groomed swath down the far side. Stay high to access the Far East, the resort’s most challenging terrain, where even days after a storm there are powder shots through the trees. Connect to the Flathead lift via either Pipeline, a natural halfpipe that funnels down to the lift’s base, or Bishop’s Cat Track, which connects to Redfinger (ask a local about the name), a steep, moguled run. Drop Out drops off of it, steep and narrow. Flathead chair accesses primarily expert terrain, including Grizzly bowl, a long, wide usually bumped run that narrows as it descends. Ski out groomed Grizzly Ridge and drop off Junior’s, Badlands or Tombstone, usually at least one of these is groomed, or continue down lower Grizzly Ridge, which isn’t. [TOP]

Intermediate: Plenty of blue terrain awaits off Ray’s Lift and the Arrowhead lift. Bear Claw is an extremely popular run that undulates down the upper third of the mountain. For a loonnngg run to the base, segway to Roundup, which narrows to a cat track edging the resort’s boundary before dumping into Montoya. Amy’s Ridge, off the summit, descends under the Arrowhead chair. Just-cruising folks should bail on Cassidy Traverse; aggressive intermediates can continue down Grizzly Ridge, as long as one of the offshoots is groomed. Be forewarned, these off shoots are steep, and there are no easy ways out once you start down. [TOP]

Beginner, First-timer: Confident beginners should begin with Maverick, off the summit of Ray’s Lift. Once comfortable there, try Long Hollow to the Flathead lift, the Cassidy Traverse to Bear Claw to Roundup. A handle tow at the base services nice learning terrain that’s away from the main flow of traffic. [TOP]