Pros:
• Everything is brand new!
• All tees are concrete and players have choice of Am or Pro (with some being shared)
• Tee signs at all tees - posts painted blue (pro) & white (am) or both colors when shared.
• DISCatcher baskets, benches at many tees, next tee signs which show way to both Am/Pro tees, nice sized bridges for crossings
• Distinct differences in difficulty (distance, elevation, variety, pin placement, etc). between Am/Pro tees & baskets
• Varying amounts of elevation - from flat to extreme and everything in between!
• Basically split on number of open/woods holes
• A mix of left/right/straight throws
• Satisfying basket placements (some raised/elevated baskets, one mounted in between 3 trees, several protected/obscured by trees, some 'fast', etc.)
• Well maintained - appears recent mowing/lack of rainfall kept the rough in check so disc loss possibility when I played was greatly reduced - this may not be the norm however
• Easy to navigate esp. w/map provided when paying
Cons:
• Pay to play, seasonal, limited availability when in season
• Many eye sores due to being in ski area (lifts, equipment, buildings, trailers, etc)
• Water on course but never comes into play
• Since new course, there's still some debris on/near fairways (limbs, sticks, etc)
• There's serious rough off a number of fairways and if course not regularly mowed/maintained, disc search and loss potential could be high
• Some uncertainty may arise as to what basket to play in certain areas (map recommended to clarify any confusion)
• Loud toward base of course w/music blaring
Other Thoughts:
From the Pro Tees (which is where I played from), the balance between woods/open holes is basically dead even at 9. Holes 1-6 play across open fields and provide many drive ripping opportunities. Most of the trouble on these and the other open holes (#12, 17-18) are either from moderate to thick rough, some scattered trees or the various man-made 'obstacles' (think ski area stuff) in/around the fairways.
Hole 7 marks the transition to the woods as the pro tee plays inside them and the am just on the outskirts.
The woods continue on 8-11 where elevation is king & accuracy is key. While fair, the lanes are tight, some have multiple turns and off the fairway can be tricky - not only for shot recovery but also disc hunting.
#12 is open, uphill & provides some relief from the woods but beware of the dense, unforgiving rough lining both sides as you approach the pin.
Thirteen through sixteen are back in the woods however these holes are not as demanding as the first set of woods holes and showcase a couple fine pin placements - most notably #16's three-tree mounted basket.
The course finishes with wide open bombs on 17 and 18; with the latter being a severe downhill throw bordered by ski lifts.
In my opinion, the demanding wooded holes were the course's strongest feature. The weakest by far were the first several open holes which basically felt like playing in and around an open field.
Since there are so many world class and outstanding courses in the greater region, it's tough to recommend the course on its own - especially with the $5 pay to play. However when coupled with the Peak course, it's quite a formidable one-two punch and should be on any serious disc golfers 'to play' list if in or around the area.