Chairlift to the Sky: A Community’s Farewell to Robert Redford

The film world and outdoor community are mourning the loss of Robert Redford, the legendary actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Institute. Redford passed away peacefully at his Utah home at the age of 89. His legacy is deeply tied to the Sundance Mountain Resort and the independent film movement he helped build. To honor his life and vision, the resort will host a unique tribute: a “Chairlift Light Vigil.”

The event, which took place on September 18, 2025, from 8-10 p.m., invited the public to participate in a symbolic last ride. Guests were provided with battery-powered candles and rode the Outlaw Express chairlift, a lift named in honor of Redford's iconic "Sundance Kid" character. The ride was offered free of charge, with a suggested minimum donation of $5. The donations benefit the Sundance Nature Alliance, an organization he founded to protect and preserve the land around the resort.

Redford's connection to the mountains was profound, and his career was marked by a love for art and the environment. He was not only a celebrated actor and Oscar-winning director for his film "Ordinary People" but also a dedicated environmentalist. Redford purchased the land that would become the Sundance Mountain Resort in 1969. Driven by a desire to protect the Provo Canyon from development and create a place where art, nature, and community could coexist.

Redford's love for the outdoors was a constant throughout his life. He was an active voice in lobbying for landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute to support independent artists and filmmakers who struggled to break into the mainstream industry. Redford envisioned a space where directors, writers, and actors could explore their talent in a collaborative setting. They were encouraged to pursue their own vision and experiment with bringing it to film. This mission helped launch the careers of filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Paul Thomas Anderson.

The vigil was a powerful tribute to a man who saw potential in both nature and emerging artistic voices. By turning the chairlift into a symbol of remembrance, the Sundance community honored his love for skiing and the outdoors. The event showed the lasting impact of his work, which reached far beyond the silver screen and into the mountains he called home.

As the Sundance Film Festival prepares to move to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, Redford’s mission remains a guiding force. His vision of a space where independent artists can thrive will continue to shape the institute he founded. The chairlift vigil was more than a farewell — it was a celebration of a legacy that will inspire future generations of artists and mountain lovers alike.