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THIS IS THE LIFE: The group of 19 adults and 11 kids roasted hot dogs around a fire at Elliot's Cabin.

LESSONS LEARNED: The Matkoviches came back with a new appreciation for Chetwynd and its amazing snow depths. —photos courtesy Loretta Willis

The Matkoviches are the coolest family I know. All four of them—Grant, Lianne and their two kids, Jourdan, 13, and Brendon, 9—love snowmobiling. They’ve explored all the top spots near their home in the southeastern corner of B.C. but last December, the family, including grandparents Vern and Loretta Willis, headed north to Chetwynd, B.C., for a change of scenery.

Since Lianne’s cousin, Ken Landon, owns Highmark Powersports in Chetwynd, they were invited to join him and a group of friends to go sledding. Their excitement grew when they learned Landon would supply the machines, which, for the most part, were brand new 2008 800s.

"The first day (Monday) was trail riding to Elliott’s Cabin towards Dawson Creek," said Lianne. "We had 16 sleds and one quad. The kids played and we had a fire."

But the younger ones weren't the only ones having fun. Loretta's 72-year-old aunt came back with a grin after going catwalking. And Lianne's uncle, who is in his late 70s, would definitely go again.

Lots of pow
Tuesday was a mountain ride in the Calazon snowmobiling area, located 45 minutes from Chetwynd in the Pine Pass. With three feet of fresh powder atop a five-foot base, the conditions were perfect.

"I've never been in that much snow before," said Lianne. "And I've never had a sled powerful enough to go up in those places. For me, it was the ultimate. Driving up was just so beautiful. You'd stop your machine and take your helmet off and it was just so surreal. There had been snowmobilers up there but it had snowed so much that it felt like we were the first ones."

Lianne and Jourdan spent the entire day hillclimbing, taking jumps, carving powder and teaching the boys a thing or two.

"It was awesome getting to experience the big machines, the mountain riding and all the snow," said Jourdan. "And showing them what girl power is all about."

"At the end of the day, we stopped in the Pine Pass at a little family-owned diner," said Lianne. "They were getting ready to close and so they cooked for us off the menu and everybody had a good meal. It was awesome—just a great day."

Thrills and spills
The final day was a father-and-son ride and all the boys spent some quality guy time in the Calazon.

"They taught the grampas how to hillclimb, like severe hillclimbing," said Lianne. "Dad, I guess, was like a little kid out there. And Grant had a ball. He actually went over the handlebars on an 800 and smacked the visor right off his helmet. He didn't get hurt but I wish they could've videotaped it. There was just so much snow that unless you hit a tree, there was no way of getting hurt."

They will be back
After a trip like this, I can understand why the Matkoviches were walking on air. It was an experience the entire family will treasure for many years.

When asked if there were plans to go again next season, Lianne said it's a new family rule.

"It's just phenomenal up there," she said. "And there are so many more places they want to take us."