AA SLF: thanks for the very interesting link. We have done some visual approaches at night into Bozeman, Montana. You stay pretty much level there until over some lights in the valley, or can see the high mountain ridge underneath, then leave the minimum altitude on the Victor airway. If you did it too often, you could get a bit relaxed.
Salt Lake Center in early December offered us a VOR with a circle to land, our first time at Kalispell, MT, and at night-end of a fairly long day, but no snow on the ground. It is uncontrolled, also. As for a circle in night IMC, for a first time approach, I said to the other pilot "no way-that controller must be kidding". Many controllers probably have no instrument flying experience, except on a jumpseat. Of course the other option, a procedure turn, is sometimes only seen once every eight years, or even less.
Years ago, the Las Vegas Approach controller gave us a go around early, in order to fit a "high-speed cattle car" (as in Burbank)" 737 in front. I told the Captain, we will stay over the valley lights while receiving vectors to downwind, no matter what the assigned headings, and not enter the dark (mountainous) areas.
A Navy Reserve DC-9 almost hit mountains near NAS Fallon (Nevada) years ago. A pilot had, as a personal technique, set the radar altimeter to some number, and when the needle quickly moved around with the yellow light on, they shoved the throttles fwd and immed. pulled up. The NAS controller had been confused about call signs.