Snow Mountain at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort

The Snow Mountian course is a true gem. The course is located in the middle of the desert. It is truly a desert oasis. The tee boxes, fairways, and greens are well-manicured. The course is challenging, but the layout and beauty of the course lessen the sting of the challenge. The pro shop and restaurant easily cause you to forget you are in the heart of the desert, and the staff is the best. I highly recommend any and all visitors to the Vegas area to enjoy a round of golf at The Paiute Golf Resort.

A modern, stern test of strategic golf in the desert, but with a classic Dye feel. The designers bring many risk-reward holes into the mix, whether they involve playing over the desert or over one of the many water hazards. This course, although similar in several ways (especially bunkering style and elevation changes) to the adjacent Sun Mountain track, still carries a different emphasis and aura.

From the opening sequence over the first four holes—marked by strong elevation shifts, strategic fairway “tongues,” bold tee-to-green angles, and crafty greenside shaping—Dye sets the tone. It drew me in quickly, while gradually setting a more enduring tone of unpredictability and tension.

Risk-reward is often the name of the game at Snow Mountain. To succeed at hole the short par-4 seventh, for example, a careful decision may be relevant: drive the green (or near it) or instead lay up. On sixteen and eighteen the water hazards take center stage. The former, playing over a huge pond, is an all-or nothing proposition.

Still, the Snow finds a balance, as some of the most challenging holes don’t necessarily involve great risk, but rather precision play. Playing the 611-yard par-5 sixteenth is mainly a matter of careful positioning on all three shots from tee to green; and, if the third happens to be a longer approach, playing for the center of the huge, sloping green is usually wise (hit the wrong side, too far from a pin, and you’ll likely three-putt).

Differences from Sun Mountain

Since Snow Mountain is more oriented to taking calculated risks and shortcuts, it is an even more strategic course than Sun Mountain. Not surprisingly, then, it is also more penal, and with frequent risk/reward comes momentum swings in a round or match.

Water hazards, more frequent here, are also placed more slyly at Snow Mountain, and most do not require a forced carry—only those at 16 and 18 (assuming the green is your target). Fairways, laid out irregularly and unpredictably like those on the Sun, are even more angular and doglegged. Cutting a fairway angle here typically supplies a better reward—a much closer shot at the green. Deciding on risk-reward in several forms (not just carrying water) is far more common on the Snow.

The greens were larger here, and the greenside zones didn’t present as many difficulties as those on the Sun. While mounding and contouring were not uncommon, I still pitched from some awkward lies—just not as many.

Which course is harder? That depends on a player’s style and execution. I lean towards the Snow, mainly because 16 and 18 are highly demanding—but it’s close. Taking more risks also means greater potential for blow-up holes.

Some Conclusions:

–On this finely conditioned layout, I played today in a fine foursome, in which we all seemed to enjoy each other’s company. One of my playing partners, G., became increasingly funny as the round went on; we were both lightly amused by our toils. Great, great fun.

–Having now played this and Sun Mountain, I liked both–especially from tee to green. Forced to choose, though, I’d play Snow again on a return trip, as it is more dynamic; it also had the edge on distinctive and memorable holes.

Greens roll true, sunshine fairway carpet. Awesome experience.

Lush, well watered, out in the middle of the desert (quiet). Paiute is a unique experience in Vegas, in exceptional condition, while being priced the same as the mediocre local courses. There are beautiful mountain views on every hole. There are no watering restrictions here - which means you get inch thick rough that never goes dormant in the winter months.

Tee boxes are cut short. Greens are smooth and fast. Bunkers have good sand. Tee times are kept 10 minutes apart - even on a full tee sheet we were done in 4 hours. If you are a local, it's so worth the drive as long as there's no wind.

The layout is awesome. You have 280 yard dogleg par 4's that dare you to go for the green over hazards. You have multiple par 3's that require a carry over the water. You have several par 4's that dogleg with water running parallel to the fairway. I think Snow has the best layout at Paiute. The finishing holes on both 9's are fantastic.

They have cart GPS, dump (4) bottles of water in your cart, have a snack bar at the turn, and drink cart every ~3 holes. There's a bag drop and they'll even carry your bag back to bag drop for you. The restaurant has a gorgeous view over holes 10 and 18. The pro shop is well stocked with gear. The ranges are in excellent condition and you hit off grass even in the winter months.

The only complaint would be that the wind gets bad depending on the time of year. Paiute is ~10 degrees cooler than Vegas, which is a positive in the summer, but a negative in the winter. But everything about the experience is perfect from bag drop to the after-round meal overlooking hole 18. The (3) courses at Paiute are all in the top 5 of the 100+ courses that I have played across multiple states.

I've played numerous courses in the Vegas area. This is absolutely a top value. The course was in perfect condition. If I lived there, I would make it my number 1. The pro shop has great shirts and hats that I haven't seen at other courses. The patio bar view looks like a post card. Can't say enough good things about this place.

Really enjoyed this course! The conditions were fantastic and the course was very challenging. This was our favorite course during our visit and we will be back!

Great course in great shape. Was in town on vacation and glad I was able to play here. Played the first day on the Sun course and liked it, so booked a tee time the next day for Snow.

Very good conditions. Greens were plush, smooth, and running fast.

Would never hesitate booking a tee time here.

Not much to be said. It’s phenomenal. Everything about it is top notch.

This course is in great shape, especially for the middle of the summer.

Experience would help figuring out the green speeds - not a lot of undulation but deceptively fast for lush greens.

Las Vegas Paiute Resort is that good. Year after year when I go to Vegas I always play a course at the Paiute Resort. I play there because I always know what I am getting: unbelievable conditions, nothing compares in Vegas, great practice facilities, and awesome staff. I have played just under 500 different courses in America and they are represented by a logo ball in one of my racks. Usually when I travel I don't play a course I have already played, I want to get a new logo ball for the rack and get close to that 500th different course. There is one exception though THE LAS VEGAS PAIUTE RESORT. All three courses are fantastic and they never disappoint.

Course always in perfect condition. Pace of place usually very good. Everything at Paiute is exceptional.

I have played many of the top 100 courses in the world and this course ranks right up there. The fairways and greens are tremendous and that all in a desert.

The only real complaint I have is the check-in staff were incredibly rude. Yelling at one of the players, arguing with another player. It was really something.

It might seem minor, but that's the only reason I gave it four stars. Fix this and its a 5 star in my books every day of the week!

If you’re playing golf in the Vegas area all 3 courses are worth playing. Being from the Sandhills area of NC people love to talk about Mike Stranz’ Tobacco Road. I would argue the layouts of these courses gives Tobacco Road a run for its money in regards to layout and the visual “trickery.” While there are no blind tee shots there are a lot of tee shots that will make you second guess your aim points and choice of club.

Undulations on the fairways provides the opportunity to hit a variety of shots that many other courses won’t give you. And playing in July the conditions were immaculate (not counting the wind but that’s part of playing the game).

Greens were fair in terms of speed and breaks. I would make the case that because of the course conditions being so good you almost trick yourself into thinking they are stimping at 15 which they were not when i played.

As for advice:

If you normally play tees with a yardage around 6500 but played this course from the blacks and it was the perfect distance. I used more of my clubs than i do in a typical round back east. You will get more distance if you’re used to playing at sea level. To that point sacrifice distance to keep the ball on the short grass. This being desert golf wayward drives or approaches that find the rocks are pretty much gone.

One example of the 3 great courses at Paiute. Always excellent conditions and just the right amenities. Very playable from the white tees. Highly recommend