Clean lines will take you from tee to basket on many of the 20 holes on this ski resort course. There are a few that require more precise aim to shoot a gap and make a truly gorgeous disc golf shot, not just 20 sitting ducks. Elevation changes are as good as it gets on the payoff holes, but steady back and forth crossings of the ski runs are set to create fun shots that don't feel repetitive or boring. Every hole is par 3, and the classic yellow DISCatchers are in nice shape.

The baskets aren't hidden from sight on most holes and they are within range for established players much of the time. Pin placements are frequently in position to reward great drives, while keeping the short game interesting after a less than perfect throw. The natural tees are maintained well and were playing nicely even after some rain the previous night. There are plenty of signs to lead you through the transitions from one hole to the next, so navigation is fairly simple. No greens fees, a bar and grill, and discs available at the gift shop equals a pretty sweet deal. There are some outdoor adventure features for kids near the bottom of the mountain, but no mountain biking or other activities to interfere with the disc golf area.

I love giant downhill bombs, so holes 16, 17 and 20 were my favorites, and I hit birdies on 17 and 20 to make me feel even better about the easy putts I missed earlier in the round. 16 is straight down a bomber run and you can overshoot the pin with a putter by a long way on the 420' par 3. If you throw one that doesn't fly on a straight line there can be problems to either side of the heavily wooded fairway. 17 is crosses the slope a bit, but is mostly open air and the tall growth is the only thing to eat a disc. I nailed the drive with an audience and actuall canned the 15' birdie putt. 20 is very similar to 17, and I managed to repeat the great results from 17 using the same Star Roc III.

There are a few more demanding lines that keep up the difficulty level. The first is hole 2, which has a narrow gap through the trees halfway down the fairway. The hole is just under 340', but there is a tree line at 180' and the line bends left and heads downhill from there. If you can get past the first line of defense you're not out of the running for a par. Hole 4 is the shortest, but it isn't easy. 177' through thick trees, I was dealt a bogey. Holes 14 and 15 are a couple of more tighter lines, downhill with pins that are perched on precarious rocky outcroppings. Tricky drives, but not impossible. Bad bounces may take you to very challenging recovery on the second shot, but I did manage to save par on both despite a poor tee shot. Luck may give a fortuitous landing or a horrible roll away.

The in between holes are equally fun. 7 and 9 run next to service roads and skirt thick woods if you stray to far off the line. I hit the basket with my tee shot on hole 6 and hole 12, but missed the easy comeback on the former, and caught a roll behind a tree on the latter, settling for par on both. Other birdie opportunities are there along the way. I couldn't capitalize on good tee shots on holes 1 or 3 either.

It is a hike to the first hole. There are a few spots with rocky footing that demands attention. This one takes good footwear, and bringing a waterproof jacket may be wise in case of summer showers. I played in shorts and short sleeves and lucked out, but the locals were dressed out for inclimate weather.

Lack of control or high winds may carry you into heavy woods. The up and down will frustrate you and cost strokes if you haven't got ability to drive a direct line with some distance. Lost discs are a possibility if you get into the tree lines or just tall rough on a couple of the fairways that have more growth.

I stayed with family and friends in Silverthorne for a long weekend, and this was my favorite course in the immediate area. My brother isn't an avid disc golfer and is a novice, but he was able to appreciate the total grandeur of the scenery, as well as enjoy the course without being frustrated beyond belief.

We didn't lose any discs, and picked up some sweet A Basin stamped plastic in the souvenir shop. The food at the restaurant was also good and they had a great selection of cold beer.

I shot a 65 (+5) on the 20 hole layout with 3 birdies, 4 bogies and 2 double bogies. As I mentioned, there were a couple of missed birdie putts and 2 drives that hit metal, so a par round or better was within reach.

A Basin doesn't demand quite as much precision as Bucksnort, and doesn't have the par 5 holes like Bailey, but it is just as fun and making a perfect throw here feels as good as anywhere else in the state. It is a must play if you are in the area.

Absolute gem. Really well designed course with very minimal uphill throws. Wait until late June before trying to play to give time for the snow melt.

Bar and Grille at the base where you can get a burger and beer afterward.

Good amount of total distance. Hiking around is very beautiful and I enjoyed the long walks from tee to tee. Easy to find all the tee boxes despite the distance. Some steep terrain so bring good hiking shoes.