-Course is set in a really beautiful area. Several of the holes on the back nine are played through a high-canopy forest on the slope of the mountain that is just stunning. The views over the lake on 18 are some of the best in Michigan.

-Generally really good hole design. Very little poke and pray, and really diverse design that allows players to utilize a variety of shot types. That can be rare for wooded courses in Michigan.

-Very little dense undergrowth/not many places to lose discs.

-For years, some of the holes had less-than-ideal gravel teepads or no teepads but I believe all of them are either paved or carpet now.
-Usually not very crowded at all. You may not even run into any other players.

-There is one legitimately bad hole on this course. It's hole 11, and there is no real line to get to this hole. You have 3 possible options, and all 3 of them are pretty much spray-and-pray shots. This hole requires sheer luck to birdie, probably a lot of scrambling to par, and is really the only example of poor hole design on the entire course.

-You'll probably run into several walkers/bikers on the trail at some point. Multiple holes run right along the trail, which means you have to be careful.

-The final decent is not fun. There's actually not a whole lot of tough uphill hiking on the course, it's usually pretty gradual save for a few areas on the back 9. But the hike down the stairs back to the parking lot will have your knees feeling like jello at the end.

-There is a 5-10 minute walk between 15 and 16.

This is probably the second best course in Northern Michigan behind Hickory Hills. I personally think this course is severely underrated. Definitely a must-play in terms of Michigan disc golf.

This course has been improved a lot. It's much more deserving of a 4+ rating now.

The views were nice especially towards the 18th hole. Some of the holes had brooms to clean off the debris before throwing your driver. The holes were challenging, but not too challenging. Some holes had signs indicating direction of next hole. Total distance walked was over 5 miles on 18 holes.

The brooms were missing from the holes that really needed them. Some of the holes had signs directing you to the next hole - unfortunately, those holes could be easily guessed without the signs. There were several holes we played that had several different directions the next hole could be in with no sign - we had to explore to find the next hole. The biggest con was sharing the course with the park. We had a lot of walkers and joggers that we had to stop and wait for them to pass.

Realize you spend most of the time walking up hill.
We had a good time and feel the pros of the course balanced with the cons.

What a gem. I was staying 1 mile from this course for a few days when I happened to notice it. I thought it would be kind of a throw away course...just a fun outing to get in a quick round of disc golf. This course is a trek of rolling hills, trails and beautiful scenery along with some challenging disc golf.

This course plays along a trail that leaves for some fairly lengthy walks in a spot or two (particularly between 15 and 16...is that a half mile walk?). The fairways are well defined and important to stay on them because the rough is a bit hard to get out of. This means you will need to throw a lot of lower powered, controlled shots while in and around the woods. The course also has a number of fairly wide open holes with minimal obstacles to throw over or around to get to the pin (mostly lower 300s and below). The chance of losing a disc is low, which is nice on a course that is unfamiliar. Elevation was a plus with a few nice uphill shots as was throwing through the woods. It would be nice to have a few better defined fairways on some of the wooded holes but most of those are short enough it doesn't really matter that much. This course ends with an epic view of the bay. I could sit up there and just relax for a few hours after playing this course.

No bathrooms out on the course. This is quite a hike. I am not sure how many miles walk it is but more than most courses. The walk from the top down and from 15-16 is lengthy. It makes you feel like they could have made it a 20 hole course or more utilizing some of the elevation on the back 9 and some of the open spaces with no holes on the front 9. Imagine the top of the world shot it could have ended on! That would have been epic. I am sure it is a lot higher than the last hole at DeLaveaga. No big deal. Just a thought.

I would definitely play this again and would love to have this course within driving distance of my house. If you are anywhere close make sure to stop in and play!

- Great maintenance all around including baskets.
- Excellent use of existing topography.
- Great flow from one hole to the next.
- BEAUTIFUL tee signs. Something I've never considered before but having the signs in such a low placement - about 2 feet off the ground prevents hitting them with a follow-through. This is a great idea.
- An awesome club that looks after this place. In fact, Boyne Valley DGC is a model for how a club ought to be run. Their ability to forge such a fantastic relationship with the City shows brilliantly on this course.
- Navigation really isn't too bad with nifty little next tee signs everywhere.
- The view between 17 and 18 is breath-taking. Makes the long trip up to the summit WELL worth it.
- On the completed teepads the carpet surface believe it or not is as grippy as a concrete pad. Absolutely a fantastic solution to areas that are tough to get to with a concrete truck.
- Liked the benches that made use of downed trees.

- Tee pads. Not all of them are complete. Just something to keep in mind prior to playing here.
- Never really got a chance other than one or two holes to just grip it and rip it down the fairway. Would love to have had a hole to throw down hill a long ways. Then again, without the massive removal of trees I'm not sure theres a place to make a hole like that.
- The walk between 15 and 16 is LONG. But I asked one of the fellas who installed the course stated that there was no place to put a hole here. The slopes on either side of the path are just too steep to be safe.
- Two of the shorter holes play thought tight woods (7 and 12). I don't really care for poke and hope holes with ridiculously narrow openings between the trees.
- Many of the fairways follow a footpath that is frequently occupied by walkers and joggers. Exercise caution when throwing.

This is a unique disc golf experience. If you are ANYWHERE near here...PLAY IT. You won't regret it. The view of Lake Charleviox at the end of the round makes it all worthwhile. I have never seen a view like that on any disc golf course anywhere.

There are a few things to consider prior to playing here. Like a lot of courses in this area this is a physically demanding course. Supportive and quality footwear are a necessity. If it is at all hot bring water. There are some really long walks between holes as previously mentioned.

As Boyne Valley DGC makes improvements to this course I see no reason why this cannot be a 4.5 in my opinion. What a great disc golfing experience.

Tee pads were mostly good with a couple that need repair/replacement/installation. Signs were the best I've seen anywhere but don't think they will last. (Hope they do)

Holes were interesting and used the terrain to good use. Next tee signs were used alot and aided in the navigation.

The only complaint was the distance between the holes. Another 18 would exist if using the space between holes. At times we wondered if we were lost the distance was so great.

Seems this course is under development but it could be a great asset to the area if some tedious features were changed.

Baskets: all Discraft Chainstar. The front 9 were replaced in 2014 and a practice basket was also added.

Tee Signs: all of the vandalized signs were replaced in 2015 by the local club.

Log Benches, Next Tee Posts, and Trash Barrels: on every hole. Some also have picnic tables.

Tee Pads: while still waiting for city approval on concrete, several improvements have been made. The log frames are being replaced with 4"x6" treated lumber boxes packed with baseball diamond dust (crusher fines), many of which are also covered with carpet. Concrete pavers are installed on special signature holes.

Lots of potential for additional holes. Hopefully someday soon we'll get approval to add more baskets too.

Huge thanks to Boyne City and the Boyne Valley Disc Golf Club for getting together and improving this great course. The mowing has been much better these past two years as well, and the amazing view at the top is worth the walk.

The setting is a beautiful. The course includes a number of forest types, as well as some old field/meadow holes. It has great variety, ranging from very technical wooded to open meadow holes. The course includes some long walks and takes a while to play, but the walk is very enjoyable. The course was clean and well maintained (except for the tee pads as described below).

The tee pads. Almost all of the tee pads are sandy/gravel, and many were hollowed out when I played. This is a bit dangerous, and it is tough to focus on making a good throw when you're worried about your footing.

This quickly became one of my favorite courses. I played it three times during a week-long vacation in the area. The addition of rubber tee pads (concrete would be tough to install because of the remote pad locations) would do A LOT to improve the play. Even with the sub par tee boxes this is a must play course if you find yourself in northern Michigan!

Aesthetic-- plays through an extinct ski mountain. shares most of the terrain with hiking trails. be careful to watch for walkers.

Teepads-- not bad, not good. gravel, set apart from the paths. Some held water after rain but overall they served their purpose and were adequate.

Baskets-- the first 5-6 holes had old single chain baskets (I believe they were home made) but the later holes had chainstars. all in good shape.

Teesignage-- the first few holes had really sweet signs. I'm guessing that with the deletion of hole 3 and the addition of the newest hole they needed editing and repair.

challenge-- great challenge here. the shorter holes are crazy tight and provide a nice challenge. the meadow holes are a needed break to air your arm out a bit.

Variety-- Nicely done. a little something for everyone. short, long, left, right, up, down, all around a nice course!

Long walks-- 15 to 16 is a quarter mile (at least) walk. 14 to 15 is a brutal uphill hike.

Wasted opportunities-- with the long walks, there is room for a LOT more holes here. the fact that there isn't a throw down the mountain is inexcusable.

Great course, seriously. I really enjoyed this course. It's beginner friendly and you spend a ton of time getting up the mountain rather than walking straight up it.

+Absolutely beautiful
+I really enjoyed the tee to hole placements
especially on 5, 14 and 17
+I suppose there are some good Ace holes
not for me, but good deuce holes for sure!
+A lot of tight wooded holes
+Awesome elevation changes everywhere
+Normally I would downgrade for gravel
tees, but they played really well here had
just been raked and where firm and level
+Nice and clean, new trash cans
+A lot of benches, not everywhere but
enough where needed I guess
+I could tell a lot of care has been put into
this course recently
+Really easy to navigate, nice flow
+Good mix for all types of throwers
+Close to town, easy to find even off
highway
+Hole 18 you get a beautiful lake view!

-Between 14 and 15 and 16, there is ALOT
of hiking-mostly uphill, it would seem more
holes, possibly ALT holes would be nice.
-Signs were all removed, I was told they are
being remade right now and will go in soon

^I feel like maybe this course gets knocked alittle unfairly, possibly due to all the hiking. NO, you are not going to play this course quickly. You could play just the front 9 if that is what you are looking for.
^Bug Spray
^Good hiking shoes
^Just to the left of basket 9 there was a TON of bees, bring an epi-pen if needed
^Some of the holes are located on jogging /
hiking / biking paths, so you have to share
^I highly recommend this course for sure, I don't think this course deserves the low score it is getting!

Honelstly i thought this would be alot of pro thoughts but needs alot of work with the whole layout.. Hopefully one day can go back when they improve on the course

Didnt have signs except on hole 1-4, no hole 3, no tee pads, horrible baskets, to long of walks to next hole, could make more baskets holes when u walk 900 yards to next hole..

didnt know if we were going the right way to the next tee

Front nine or actually front 8 is fun and challenging. You get to use all the discs in your bag except the big drivers. Back nine is a good workout as you play your way up the hiking trail to a glorious view of the lake.

Tee pads are gravel and loose dirt, tough to get good drives. Back nine tees are missing hole information and in some cases are hard to find. Back nine holes are all along the trail up the hill but the basket placements makes for some variety.

Backwoods disc golf at it's finest or worse? Worth playing if you are in the area like we were on vacation or if you need a break from the intense mountain bike trails. You can get the great view of the bay by climbing the stairs.

very scenic and challenging. lot's of wooded shots with good amount of obstacles. the view from the top of the "mountain" after you play 18 is gorgeous.

the second half of the course is up hill and at some points very steep (pack light). should really be another alternate hole after 18 to let you throw down the mountain.

BEAUTIFUL, what more can be said, this course is one of the nicest courses in the country. it is kept up and very clean and well manicured.

the only Con is that there is no hole that plays the LARGE hill after 18.

play this course if you are anywhere near it.

Challenging holes. Beautiful area and fun little town. Baskets are in good shape. Some holes are just excellent numbers 4,7 and 17 to name a few.

Missing basket on hole 3, and on the back nine its literally a hike to each subsequent hole. Some of the holes in the forrest feel like the course designer got lazy and threw a tee pad here and 150 feet down the hiking trail threw a basket there. With some time and I guess some money this course has so much potential.

Some great holes if you can take the hike it takes to play them. Avalanche park on the whole leaves me wanting more after working so hard.

There are easily birdied holes, and holes which will strain par for many. Being very close to Lake Charlevoix (and in turn Lake Michigan), there can be very high winds and it's almost always gusty somewhere on this course.

I cannot say this park is ever trashy, or in disrepair (aside from the tee signage). Overall, it is very pleasant, and when the wind is blowing and the leaves are in bloom, it is extremely challenging. Don't let the short distances fool you. The elevation coupled with the trees make you need to hit specific lines on most holes, and one false move will mean double-bogey at best..

The scenery here is quite impressive, especially during fall colors. While it is unfortunate that the course follows the main road access for the majority of the round, it means that surrounding animal habitats have remained intact. Less common birds like woodpeckers can often be sighted.

There are two nice observation decks at the top of the hill, so you can chill and look at the bay when you finish. Lots of pleasant locals use this for all sorts of training. Local kids hang around the front 9, while the back 9 is usually less crowded.

The tee signage has been destroyed on the later holes and the old 18th hole, which used to end opening to a dead shot of the lake, was removed and rerouted to the side of the summit. I guess people sitting on the deck got hit, as it was a blind drive. (don't people know what FORE! means?)

The long (and I mean long) distances between many of the back 9 holes severely disrupt any rhythm you may have developed, and you spend a lot of time wondering as you walk and look at the land, "why isn't there a hole here...or here...or here?" There is sooooo much more room on the back 9 to easily add another 6+ holes, that I cannot conceive an acceptable reason for this to be only an 18 hole course.

There are no water holes, but if you bring your dog, that is sometimes a plus.

The tees are dirt/gravel, in rather poor condition, and can be very loose after rain. The majority of the baskets are old rusted single chain design, but a few new Chainstars are on the back 9.

This course is close to my home, and although it isn't my Local course, I have chosen to drive and play this one dozens and dozens of times. I started playing frequent rounds on defunct ski hills, and really like the elevation changes and workout. Although there is not a big bomber down the hill to end the course (it is EXTREMELY steep. There is a reason there are hundreds of stairs down), this is my favorite course in the area. And after you finish the stairs, there is still a respectable place to stop and empty your bag.

Note: when I searched for courses in my area, this was categorized by DGCR as "moderately hilly" rather than "very hilly" like Hickory Hills. I must disagree, as the back 9 is a long hike up a big hill. Be prepared to work.

***UPDATE
There is another hole that has been installed after #9 to replace the old missing hole #3, returning the course to 18 holes total.
***

If there were 6 more holes installed on the back 9, this course would immediately improve to a 3.5 rating. The blantant waste of perfectly usable land is quite unforgivable.

Further adding a practice basket to warm up at the bottom, adding concrete tees, and replacing the tee signage would elevate Avalanche to a 4 rating, without hesitation. The core of the course has a sound fun/challenge factor, but the execution of the course is underwhelming.

This course is 5 minutes from Boyne Mountain which houses another nice 18 hole course. Playing both is a fantastic workout. However, if I have limited time, I choose to play Avalanche. Although it is roughly the same workout, climbing Boyne Mtn just to get to hole 1 always makes me choose Avalanche.

You get a great workout while playing this course. The scenery is really something special. The course can be rather unforgiving, given that there are trees througout the fairways on a few holes, but mostly that just made it more challenging and competitive. The holes are marked well in about the first 2/3 of the course. Its also really easy to find this course as opposed to the Boyne Mountain course. Hole 7 was awesome and I almost aced it and if you've seen that hole then you know how lucky I almost got.

No signage for the final holes. The pads are treacherous to say the least. Long hikes between holes at times, but was worth it. If you're out of shape big time like me, this course will kick your butt. Long downward hill behind basket on hole 18 made me nervous. Also, no hole 3 so don't go looking for it. We just played hole 18 twice to make up for it though.

There are many pedestrians hiking through the woods so you should watch out for them because the trails sometimes run through the course fairways. No big deal, just a heads up. Also, no bathrooms anywhere so keep that in mind until they unlock the building in the parking lot for the summer. I will definetly go back to this course despite the 400 some stairs you have to walk down to get off the mountain. Tiring course, but you'll sleep well the night after playing

The view from hole 18 was just breath taking. This course had a little something for everyone. You have holes with short little dog legs that have ace possibilities, then there are some wide open bombs. There are holes that have you weave through tight lil fairways through the trees aswell. The signs that are there are pretty good with the hole layout, the distance, and hole #. Navigation for the most part wasn't a problem. You did have a long hike on the trail between a couple holes, don't worry you didn't miss it just keep following the trail. With the wide veriety of hole layouts, the cool hole placements, and beautiful scenery this course is a MUST PLAY!

There is no hole# 3 The signage was great for the first half of the course, but after a certain hole the rest of the signs were either stolen or vandalized. The pads were just basically a pile of gravel.

Even without hole 3 and with the missing signs, this course is still one of my favorite courses. You will be hiking up the mountain and it is a work out, but for the most part you really didn't have to navigate through anything too steep.

Fantastic variety of holes. Picturesque hiking followed by a jaw-dropping view of a massive lake stretching off into the horizon.

About 4.5 miles of mountain hiking from basket 1 to 18. Then 450ish stairs down to parking lot. Follow a local group if you have not been here, hole signage is less than adequate.

Great local players. Super friendly attitudes. Groovy artwork. Hell-of-a-hike!

I tend to play the same 3-4 courses all the time, so something a little different is always a plus. This course was a little different. There are some very nice and fun holes that are easy to visualize the perfect shot for, but difficult to actualize. I like those kind of holes because they give you a lot of satisfaction when you pull it off.

The "park" has a couple small fields at the bottom of a huge hill ("mountain") and the main attraction of the park is its hiking/biking trails that make a giant circle up and back down. The course seems like it was added as an after thought and simply follows these paths for almost all of the course.

It would seem then, that you could just follow the paths and find the next hole most of the time, and most of the time this is true, but there are a few holes that randomly veer off the path with out being marked. Other places you will continue to follow the path for 10 minutes of hiking wondering if you've missed the next hole (you didn't).

Having played it last year, I would like to play it again, having a better idea of the lay out, but my friends keep rejecting the idea.

It is quite a hike, but I didn't think it was much, if any, more than Hickory Hill's in TC where I regular.

Some pretty impressive views, especially 18 where you overlook Lake Charlevoix. A technical course; takes a variety of shot types to complete and features some holes that are very fun because of their challenge and originality.

The course can get confusing; irregular distances between holes, hard to find tees, missing signs and the lack of a third hole. Many blind shots that are made truly blind by missing tee signs. Pin placements are challenging but odd. Not a course for a first time player.