How should you react to regain control during a skid?

Regaining control during a skid is crucial for safe snowmobiling, and the best way to accomplish this is by releasing the throttle and adjusting your steering. When you feel the snowmobile beginning to skid, easing off the throttle helps to reduce power to the track, allowing it to regain grip on the snow surface. This action decreases the risk of further loss of control and helps stabilize the machine.

At the same time, adjusting your steering involves turning the handlebars in the direction you want to go, which helps align the skis and the track properly for better traction. This technique promotes a controlled recovery from the skid, returning the snowmobile to a steady state.

Other methods, such as making abrupt turns, applying maximum throttle, or stopping immediately, can lead to further loss of control or instability. Abrupt turns can worsen the skid as they shift weight unexpectedly, while maximum throttle can exacerbate the skid by increasing power to the track, making it harder to regain grip. Stopping suddenly can result in sliding or tipping over, adding to the danger during a skid. Thus, easing off the throttle and steering properly is the most effective way to recover from a skid safely.