Usually I spend my vacation time pedaling, skiing, hiking or windsurfing, so last spring when we stopped at Duck Creek Village for a snowmobile tour we were in for a truly different experience.

My wife, Heidi, myself and friends Jann and Joe Williams were between a cross-country ski trip in Bryce Canyon and a biking excursion in St. George when we met Majestic Mountain Tours owner Dave Skougaard at Duck Creek Village, a resort center east of Cedar City.He suggested to us a 40-plus-mile trip over a groomed track through an area complete with open meadows and scenic red-rock overlooks. Before we knew it, he had us booked.

Dave and his wife, Teresa, smiled as they tried to tactfully tell us that we really didn't look like snowmobilers in our ski outfits. With gratitude we accepted their offering of warm bibs, gloves, goggles, boots and helmets in place of ski pants and coats. Our new outfits provided only a hint of the adventure that was ahead of us.

After a quick lesson on snowmobiling technique, safety and hand signals, we were soon following Dave on a tour to Strawberry Point and a snow-coated playfield beyond.

At first we cautiously traveled single file along the tree-lined trails that soon opened up into wide, flat, snow-covered meadows. It wasn't until we looked back and saw Joe darting up and down the sides of nearby mountains that we realized the freedom snowmobiles offer.

We followed Joe's lead out onto the rolling meadows of Bowers Flat, bouncing through the powder snow, occasionally looking over to catch a smile on a passing rider under the snow-coated helmet and goggles.

We then headed for Strawberry Point, where we stopped for lunch in a setting of steep red cliffs, green pines and white fields, with a spectacular view of Zion National Park in the distance.

There are about 60 miles of groomed trails that run through the Dixie National Forest. About half of the track is maintained by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, the other half by Majestic Mountain Tours.

Besides snowmobiling, the groomed trails also provided an ideal track for cross-country skiing.

"Our cross-country skiers and snowmobilers get along very well down here. There's more than enough wide-open country for everyone to get out and be alone," explained Dave. A complete cross-country ski package can be rented for about $10 a day.

There is no user fee for individual snowmobilers or skiers.

Reliability is another thing that has become a trademark of service. According to Dave, half of the snowmobiles are replaced every year with new Polaris machines, which keeps the fleet in new or nearly new condition.

Having been away from snowmobiling for several years, I was surprised at the difference in the speed, handling and quietness of the newer models. Others in my position, I'm sure, will be just as surprised.

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Duck Creek Village is a secret hideaway that not only offers a unique recreational experience, but is also relatively easy on the budget. A four-hour tour starts at $70 and includes snowmobile, clothing, fuel and friendly guide.

Those with their own snowmobiles can join a guided tour for $10.95. Or, if they choose, can explore the meadows and trails on their own.

Food is also available at a very reasonable price, either in a box lunch for the road or in a new restaurant in the village. Small A-frame cabins that will sleep 1-6 are also available at $55 per night.

For information on Majestic Mountain Tours call 1-800-223-8264.

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