Readers of this column know that I have been following the growth of golf at ski resorts for some time. It’s a natural thing. In Northern New England some of best new courses have been built by ski resorts as they look for ways to fill their beds in the summer. Exploring new courses is a constant challenge. Until a recent trip I referred to these as “mountain courses.”

I finally played one of Vermont’s top new courses, Okemo Valley GC in Ludlow. The Steve Durkee design has received high marks ever since it opened in 2001. Golf Digest called it one of the best new courses in America in 2002.

After my round I stopped in to see Jim Remy, director of golf, to tell him how much I had enjoyed the course. I mentioned my quest to play all of the region’s mountain golf courses. I was immediately informed that Okemo was not a mountain course, but was Vermont’s only “heathland” golf course. This led to a discussion about exactly what a mountain golf course actually was.

I haven’t quite figured out that designation, but I can describe Okemo Valley. As Remy noted it certainly starts out through heathland. The fairways on the holes are framed by tall fescues and roll and dip rather than climb. There are some wetlands and a pair of ponds that come into play on three holes.

The first three holes are relatively flat, with four through seven gradually climbing by traversing the hillside. No. 8 is a par 3 that drops sharply and 9 also drops. Nos. 10, 11 and 12 follow the perimeter along the valley floor with the next three holes climbing the hillside before dropping back down for the final holes.

The fairways and greens are bent grass and provide good lies in mostly generous landing areas. The championship tees stretch out to 6,400 yards with four sets of tees that can reduce the total to 5,105 for short hitters. We played the regulation tees at 5,726 (67.6/118) and found a good mix of challenge and playability.

Okemo is ranked 20th in the New England Journal of Golf top 100 list this year. It is a layout where golfers who hit fairways can score, but those who choose the back tees will find plenty of ways to get in trouble. The holes have good variety and great mountain views.

Because the course has been so popular in its first three years, the resort looked for a way to expand its golf offerings. The solution was found in nearby Londonderry with the purchase of Tater Hill. This older course is in the process of having a nine rebuilt while the original nine is being used this summer. Due to rain I have to return to play that one, but I did ride around it and the two together are going to give Okemo two courses worth traveling to play.

My Vermont trip also included the Country Club at the Woodstock Inn, the oldest course in Vermont built in 1896 and redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1960. This course is associated with a year-round resort. Cross country skiers use trails around the course in winter and alpine skiers make the short trip to Suicide Six.

The course is laid out back and forth along the valley floor with Kedron Valley Brook coming into play on 12 holes. Jones used the land well with limited opportunities to have elevation changes. No. 5 is an example. This par 3 plays only 151 yards, but with a steep bank rising to the left and the brook on the right and in front, par can be a tough score.

Most of the holes are relatively flat, but a few along the hillside make good use of the terrain and are deceptively tough. At 6,052 yards from the back (69.7/123) the course isn’t long, but has all the challenge most of us need. And it’s immaculately maintained, something to be expected at this world class inn. Guests at the Woodstock Inn get first preference for tee times.

And that gets us back to the definition of mountain golf. Jim Remy and I discussed certain courses and agreed that Sugarloaf is a mountain course. The Balsams is another as it sits high on a mountain side. The Mount Washington is in the mountains and even has an elevation close to 2,000 feet, but the course is very flat with on a few holes having much in the way of elevation changes.

Then there are views. If these count, the Mount Washington Course has the best in New England. And Okemo fits in as well. I can name plenty of courses in the mountains, but I guess there is no way to define a mountain course, unless I think of playing in Vail. There at an elevation of 8,500 feet I hit a six iron to the back of a 186 yard par 3. The only place that happens in the East is on No. 11 at Sugarloaf due to the 120-foot drop from tee to green.

My search of these courses will continue, but don’t look for the “Mountain Course” label.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.