Not Ryan, but I'll try and answer your questions. Personally, I'd take my N9 to Downie, Tahoe, Moab, Iowa, Tangiers...wherever.
I think that where you're willing and able to ride a hardtail has more to do with you than the bike. If you're used to chunk on a HT, this bike will make your happy parts even happier. But it won't let you ride that stuff the same way a squish bike will.
I'm not trying to be a jerk about this, but it really comes down to riding style, skill, and experience. I still remember the first time I saw Pete Webber and Whit Johnson ride the drop into Horsethief in Fruita. Pete was on a single speed HT, Whit was on a rigid single. I was sketched riding it on my Bullitt, and those two rode it like it was nothing.
If I were at the top of that drop right now, I would consider it on my Nimble, but I've grown as a rider, and most of the 11 years since that day have been spent on rigid fixed, rigid freewheel, or hardtail singles. Nah, I still would probably wuss out.
So, after that overly long and disjointed response, a hardtail like the N9 will only beat you up on the long rough downhill if you ride it like a squish. Otherwise, it's the most capable HT I've ever ridden on the downs.
Los