Most mountain cabins give you a hot tub and a deck. Ours has a private, regulation pickleball court with the cabin as your backdrop and mountain sunsets behind the far baseline. Guests tell us it's the thing everyone talks about on the drive home.
What's on the court
A full-size court with a permanent net, paddles and balls for the group, and a cornhole set beside it. It's visible from the decks, so parents can watch from a rocking chair with coffee.
Running a group tournament
Sixteen people is exactly eight doubles teams. Play a round-robin of short games to seven points, winners stay on. Keep score on the porch bar chalkboard and let the losers cook dinner.
For beginners
Pickleball is easy to pick up in one session. Start with the underhand serve, stay out of the kitchen, and let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying. Kids and grandparents will be playing within ten minutes.
After the match
The covered hot tub is a short walk from the court. Then the fire pit, then the arcade in the game room if the competition isn't settled.
