The great use of elevation change and the forrest lining the ski slopes of Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort make this disc golf course scenic, challenging, and tons of fun. The weather was amazing when I played in early October, sun shining and low wind. 20 holes when in full effect. The tees are pretty good, on rubber mats that are usually nice and level. The baskets were in good shape. I expected to pay to play, and would have gladly since the course is fantastic, but this one is free. The pro shop had some discs, gear and refreshments for sale. The layout of the course does a great job utilizing the clearings to provide roomy fairways that still require good shot making from the tee. There are some long holes, but all are par 3's and birdies are often achievable. The elevation changes are another aspect that really enhance the course, but not a lot of long walks or exhausting climbs in between holes. Hole 20 tee is behind the lodge, and most players begin there. The variety of shots required and consistent quality is wonderful. Not super tight fairways, but still requiring technical proficient and accurate shots. The flow of course and the layout are very good. Holes 18 and 19 are awesome downhill bombs that are a great payoff to finish the course off. 18 is longer, straight down hill over 560', with tall trees lining both sides of the fairway. 19 is similar, but not as long, and with trees surrounding the pin and a stream directly behind it. I was 4 over par on the 15 holes I ended up playing, unable to covert on any of the few birdie putts that I attempted.

A few holes (1, 2, 4, and 5) were unplayable when I visited, due to construction on a ski lift, but still worth the trip for sure. Concrete tees would be nice but for safety reasons during ski season don't really make sense. A map could be very helpful if you aren't familiar with the course.

Sipapu Resort in Vadito, NM, has many of the features I enjoy most on a disc golf course. Definitely a couple of memorable holes, and the rest are very good as well. As I was starting out, Clay Walker and his dog Dio were just about to play a second round, so we joined up. Clay was a cool guy and helped me navigate my way around the course. Big thanks to him for guiding and recommending I play Picuris Pueblo DGC as well while in the area. Wish I could have played the full course but had a great time on the 15 holes that I played. If am get anywhere near there again, you can bet I will return.

This course is has some very scenic holes as it winds up, down and across the ski slopes. It has 3 sets of tees allowing people of any ability to be able to enjoy a round of golf. The tips provide some length and require technical ability to be able to score well. As you play through the course, you are required to throw R to L, L to R and Straight shots. You will have to throw uphill, downhill and across the slopes. There are even a few holes that are flat. The fairways are generous and the rough is a crap shoot whether you can proceed to the hole or have to just "Take your Medicine" and throw out to a clear shot.

There are only 2 things that I feel are cons about this course. 1) It is about 45 minutes from Taos and 1 hr 10 min from Las Vegas, so you don't just run over and play you have to plan to go. (but well worth the trip) 2) It is a seasonal course and they take it down for winter. It sucks we can't play year round but cherish the times we can.

This course should be on the "Must Play" list for any one that comes to New Mexico. It has stunning views, it is a wonderful walk and is as challenging as you want it to be based on which set of tees you choose to play from.

Come to New Mexico and enjoy Disc Golf.

-Lots of elevation changes
- Many different looks at the basket from the teepad

-rubber tee pads

-clean fairways

-lodging available for excellent price

-great views

-can get gusty winds at times

-roll-aways can kill your score

I think for a course like this one being that it is in such a remote area that there should be less duece or die holes. I love the challenging holes but holes 2-4 are duece or die holes in my opinion. Holes 6, 7, 9, 19 and 20 have the same feel as well. Just a thought. Upon going to this course I thought it was alot tougher. maybe a modification to the layout would be cooler for future tournaments.

The course is set on the ski runs and winds through the mountains; absolute beautiful views. The holes are challenging and require a handful of shots to get you to the basket. This course requires a lot of hiking (might be a con to some...)

Not too many cons for this course; the woods off the fairways are thick in some spots. Watch your disc or else you could lose it. If you want the course to yourself stay away on Fridays they have doubles. Also on the weekends when there are people camping or having family reunions, holes 2 and 3 are sometimes closed.

Absolute beautiful place to play disc. If there are too many people playing here there are a few more courses within a dozen miles which are worth looking into. Enjoy, and if you find a lost disc turn it in, someone will be looking for it.

This course is quite a different experience from other courses I have played, being set in a ski area and built into the ski slopes. I had high expectations, and I liked it. The long tees weren't a "championship golf" experience like some other top courses I have played, but the fun-factor was excellent.

The tees are rubber, not my preferred type, but they were fine. The course starts off on hole 20, by throwing uphill with a standard hyzer, and then proceeds to hole 1. There are several up and down holes in the front nine of varying lengths, but all were reachable from the long tees. There was a decent balance of right-to-left and left-to-right along with open fairways. Most of the holes were a little more open than I expected, but a few of the shorter holes required some tough lines. The back 9 was more challenging, including one hole I would call a par 4, it was a nice uphill dogleg right. The highlight for me was hole 18, not too often I get a chance to drive it pin high on a 580ft hole. I wanted to empty my bag there but then I thought it might be a lot of work to recover all the discs! I settled for two drives and moved on. Good times! Then hole 19 was another sharp downhill, not long but a fun shot with the creek behind.

I liked the benches made out of old skis!

Signage was OK but I did have to walk ahead and look for baskets several times, even though the holes were not that long. I think blind baskets should be infrequent in the design on par3 holes, a couple blind holes per 18 is enough.

Another "con" I had (a very minor one) was having to do a few big climbs to get to tees where you throw back down the hill, I think that is a design flaw, should build the climbing into the prior hole whenever possible.

It needs more par 4 holes. There is so much more that could be done on that land.

The only reasons I didn't give this course a perfect score is this...Use of the entire ski slope to make it longer and the fact that you walk a hell of alot.Which kind of counter balance each other I know.You'd need a four wheeler if it was so.What can I say its one of the top three courses I've ever played..A few epic shots make you wanna throw your whole bag at it.The most elevation on any course i've been on.Beautiful,Beautiful,Beautiful.

It is sometimes hard to find the next tee. There are some pretty hard climbs and if you head off in a direction that isn't where the next tee is it is hard to figure out where you should have gone.

This course has everything I've ever wanted in a course. The signage on the course is world class which can't be stressed enough on a course where there are strenuous hikes between some holes. You can't get lost on this course. The river that runs through the base area is so beautiful. You are throwing shots over the river from 200' above the river, there are people pulling rainbows and browns out while you are putting, there's a bar and grill at the start, the scenery is so enchantingly beautiful you don't mind the fact that you've just hiked up huge elevation and you can't breathe. You just stop and take it all in. The design is also really fun. There's nothing overly difficult about the layout. A good advanced level player should shot at or below par. A top pro will shot well under par. The course has multiple tees on every hole so players of all skill levels can play the course together and have fun. This place is magical and will be back for sure. Oh holes 18 and 19 are two of the most fun holes I've ever played. On 18 you are just forever away from the basket about halfway up the mountain. Even so, all it takes a laser buzz on the correct trajectory and you can park this shot.

This course is too far from where I live.

This is destination course. With the other courses in the area do yourself a favor. Get some buddies, get in the car, and drive to Northern New Mexico and play all of these mountain courses. They are all amazing and better than any courses you play where you live.

Insane elevation changes and great variety in holes, from wooded to open to a few over the stream. It's great that there are different tee boxes for each hole for all skill levels. I played this course every day I stayed at the lodge for four weeks and it always impressed me with the challenges it presented.

Not many complaints about this course. Be careful of high winds that can catch your disc and do your best to avoid throwing into the trees, they can be very unforgiving and I've seen many discs get caught up and are lost. The stream can be intimidating but not usually too deep to wade out and retrieve your disc.

Keep your eyes open, many lost discs fall out of the trees practically every day. Do as you will with those that you find, but they are often found. Also, wear proper footwear! There is a lot of hiking involved in this course!

Free to play! Very nice course setup. The stream that runs throught the first few holes is great. Playing from the pro tees 12, 18 and 19 is just awesome. There are three sets of tees.

It is sometimes hard to find the next tee. There are some pretty hard climbs and if you head off in a direction that isn't where the next tee is it is hard to figure out where you should have gone. This course was especially tuff for the kids (5 year old). We all got stug by Wasps on #3 but was probably just us, but be careful it is there home your playing.

Great course, the long drives are really awesome when you can find your disc. These are the ones you remimber for a long time. Lost discs tend to end up up the street at Two Gray Hares.

Too many to list. See other reviews.

See updates below.

'SEE-puh' has been reviewed MANY times. I only add what I hope are useful additions.

NEW UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2023: The upper 2/3rds of the course continues to be one of most exciting, scenic, steep, and serious tests of your mountain skills ANYWHERE.

The lower third continues to experience heavy impact from resort growth. Holes 2, 3, 4, 5,6 and 8 have seen major changes, the latest being a much shorter hole 3 to avoid new buildings. The bridge from the #4 pro tee is still gone, perhaps forever?

Visitors might want to pick a busy time, (it's never crowded). Warm up til you hook up with a local, as navigation is sketchy, even with the map from the store. Spotting the Gold Disc Size Directional signs can help at times.

The Season varies with the snow. Call first to 575-587 2240 if want to play before May or after mid-October. Wear real shoes and bring water...it's a hike and a half in heaven.


New Update for June 2017. The course is now free of spring runoff. There is some debris around the #1 and #19 baskets. Thursday dubs as usual at 5pm, with Saturday singles now at 10am on all non-tournament weekends. Weekends in general are a much better time to hook-up. Try Facebook groups NNMDG or NMDG, as well as the Sipapu site for updates.

The new chairlift is nearly blocking hole #2, which makes for a tough little birdie/ bogie shot. You then either walk down a very steep little 'Hay Cliff', or go right back through the hole #1 green!?! However, that gets you to a new bridge that keeps you off of #3.

The bridge back over the river at #4 is gone, so you walk back beside the #3 fairway and across the #2 green to the new bridge. Keep your heads up through this whole part of the course on crowded days. Meanwhile, #5 and #8 play longer but with more open lanes to the basket.

It is hard to ignore that the entire area around the new chair lift is heavily impacted and pretty ugly to see. Footing can be an issue, especially in the mud, from holes 2 through 8. That said, the time of play and course scores shouldn't go up much. The rest of the course is as beautiful as ever.

New lodgings will probably close some of the lower holes at some point. A new layout is being discussed and with some good planning the course may get back up to '4.5 Phenomenal'. A 5 star 'Best of the Best' is always possible here. Sipapu is ragged for now but always glorious.

Recent update: Early June 2014.
Right now, holes 6 and 7 are pretty bad. A new 'Magic Carpet' ski lift has made a muddy mess. You have to climb over and back on a rather sketchy ladder. And BTW the food is still terrible.

Recent update: Early May 2013.
-Typical early season debris.
-Casual water on 4 is not O.B.

"PERMANENT" NOTES START HERE"
The course is NOT pay to play. You can pay for the scorecard/map if you want. Fly freely if not.

The course is NOT 'just open late spring/summer'.
It's about May 1 until early November or so.

HINTS-TIPS-GETTING AROUND THE COURSE
-There are 3 sets of tee pads on most holes. Some with 2 have Pro Adv. or Adv. Rec on hte sign, indicating a shared tee.
-Look for course directional signs: they are gold and about 10 inchs around.
-Yes it is steep. Bring good shoes/ extra water.
-COURSE STARTS ON HOLE 20!!! and ends after #19. Yes, it's weird but just roll with it.

-The pro tees often go much farther up the grade before throwing (big air shots) back down where you climbed. So to find pro tees on 8, 9, 12, look up to the right. For 17, look up and left in the woods.

-SIPA HAS A LOST AND FOUND!!!! If you find a disc, please turn it in to the Sipapu store.

-The rec tees are VERY easy and really make this a beginner friendly course for anyone who can climb. Discs available in the store.

-Advance tees play like a mostly different course, not just a shorter version of the pro tees.

-The weather is usually great but check for lightning

-Course SEEMS short, but it's really deceptive.
A technical challenge even for versatile players.
If you only know how to bomb it, you bomb.

Terrain: The terrain is amazing! Up and down the slopes, over the streams, through the woods, to the pin we go! I've never seen a better, more beautiful course.

Course layout: You could get through this course w/o a map if you wanted to. There is a nice flow which is sometimes hard to come by in a disc golf course. Nice, challenging holes. Anything from around bends, to up hill, through the forest, over the stream and down, WAY DOWN, the slope!

Clubhouse nearby.

Decent accommodations. I stayed in a cabin last time and it's not the Ritz but I really don't care. It adds to the experience. And when hungry, go get a Red Chile Burrito from the eatery upstairs. That is the best Red Chile I've ever had! Worth every penny I paid, and more!

I can honestly say I cannot think of even one negative thing to say about this course.

Well worth planning a one or two night stay in order to play disc golf on this amazing course.

Beautiful!!! One of the best courses on the planet! Great vistas, great holes, lots of challenge. Multiple tee pads to accommodate all skill levels, however this is not a course for beginners in my opinion. Some very epic holes, to say there are some elevation changes is an understatement. Good pro shop, friendly locals, great camping nearby, and beautiful weather in the heart of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico.

Only open after the snow melts, late spring and summer only.
It's quite a treacherous hike and will take you many hours to complete. (worth it though)
Confusing layout for newbies to the course, maps are available and needed if it's your first time.

Not really many drawbacks to this course, it's worth the time and the hike. One of my favorite places to throw, period.

Awesome mountain course, pro shop, amazing views and weather (in the fall).

The 2 days we played here, we were pretty much alone on the course. There is lodging right behind the first hole as well as the 3rd hole teepad.

Layout is pretty good, a bit confusing at first but easy once you play it once. There are scorecards and maps available in the lobby.

This course goes up and down the side of a mountain...so you will be in for some awesome views as well as some exercise!

Teepads are all rubber but in good shape.

Some really fun holes with a lot of varying routes/lines. Well balanced. From flat, to crazy uphill, to across the mountain, to DOWN the mountain.

Baskets seemed to be in good condition.

None that I can think of really.

The course takes a WHILE to complete...but that really isn't a con. Makes for a long, fun round.

Prepare to spend about 3-4 hours on this course (first round at least). It went a bit quicker the 2nd time around.

The course isn't open year round because of the ski season, so make sure you go in season.

Pro shop has a pretty good selection actually. Also, they have womens instructional classes (weekly I think).

Pro shop, many hills, many shots incorporated, friendly people runnung the shop, and friendly locals. Drop dead scenery.
Very fun course.

Not many. The tee pads are goofy when wet.
There were a few holes that I think could have been laid out better.

Well worth the trip. Pay to play, notice this is NOT a con.

This course has some EPIC holes! The fairways are tight, technical and long. This is hands down the most beautiful course I have ever played.

This course is a little bit confusing to navigate and it is very easy to lose site of your drive. It is also VERY physically demanding.

I hate to complain about a course being physically demanding, because too many disc golfers want their course to be a lazy walk in the park. I love and hate the extra challenge this course presents.

The only reasons I didn't give this course a perfect score is this...Use of the entire ski slope to make it longer and the fact that you walk a hell of alot.Which kind of counter balance each other I know.Being in such wondrous surroundings do that to ya.You'd need a four wheeler if it was so!Sweet!What can I say its one of the top three courses I've ever played outta 155 thats sayin somethin no matter which states it was ya know.This was my third ski slope course and far better then Aspen mountain and Bachelors Gulch in Vail.A few epic shots make you wanna throw your whole bag at it.I shot a 61 here so u know I really digged it! My buddy didn't make it outta there so easily.The most elevation on any course i've been on.Beautiful,Beautiful,Beautiful.

A whole hell of alotta walkin people, but in the end who cares u just played one of the best courses in America.I always wanna stretch courses out so even though you would be there for hours an hours with hurt feet I wouldn't have minded if it was a bit longer.

Pines swallow discs if you didnt know that take heed.The river will take your disc a half mile as well if you don't tear off after it.Eat well, come prepared,lighten your load if possible.

- Spectacular elevation changes. Refreshing after having played boring flat courses for awhile.
- Beautiful scenery. High altitude mountain vegetation makes for a nice green course in the Summer months yet not too hot either.
- A decent sized stream comes into play on a few of the lower elevation holes.
- Most holes have 3 different tee pads to accommodate all skill levels.
- Restaurant in the lodge is open year round (great food).
- Free to play!!

- Some of the tee signs were pretty worn and/or not well marked. Some had maps, showing obstacles and routes to the hole with distances etc, while others didn't.
- Due to the nature of the terrain, there aren't any really long open holes to rip a huge flex shot on. Most are pretty short and technical.

- Don't play this course after a night of partying / drinking. You need to be hydrated and ready to do some high altitude hiking. I learned this the hard way
- Speaking of altitude, it's over 8,000 feet there so bring more understable plastic if you're used to lower altitudes.
- I hope the NM State Championships are held here again soon since it's closer to me than Camp of the Tall Pines is.

awsome course its free to play theres a creek that runs throughtout the first few holes and hole 19 and it is a good workout so bring water hole 19 is proably the funnest part of the course and theres are 3 diffrent teepads for diffrent skill levels

i got lost after shooting 6 i couldnt find the next teepad and course maps and scorecards are 2$ ????

there is a disc golf shops at the lodge and they havea very good variety
play picruis pueblo and two gray hares when your up here

I feel fortunate that I used to live within an hours drive of this course. It was actually the first real course I ever played. Since then all other courses I have played have a lot to live up to. Beautiful, challenging, secluded (which can also be a con). Never crowded. FREE to play! Three sets of rubber tees so every level can enjoy. Very technical, don't need a big arm to score well here. 18 and 19 are the two best finishing holes i've ever played.

I can't play here everyday since I moved to Texas.

If you love disc golf, make it a point to play this course someday. You won't regret it.

I mean, like you're playing discgolf in the mountains with trees, views, etc... Even if you lose all of your discs, break your leg and catch lime disease, you will forever remember playing this beautiful course

I live in Dallas so my con is that I live too far away to play this course.

I played along with a local couple, Bill and Sue and their 80+ year old mother!! She and I were tied until the last hole. Very nice people and I hope to go back soon!