Often snowmobilers have a tendency to be like sheep—they just follow in the tracks of the leader. The problem with staying directly in the tracks is that you tend to turn a trail into a one-lane route through the woods.
The deeper the snow, the greater the problem becomes for these one-lane trails. They can eventually reach the point where they are nearly impossible to get out of if you happen to meet riders going in the opposite direction.
The best time to correct this problem is to establish a habit of spreading the trail every time you follow someone. That’s also when it’s easiest to do. All it takes is just putting your left ski on the right side of the track your following (or right ski on the left side) and you begin the process. If all the riders in the group get into this habit, a group of four or five can turn a single track into 10-12 foot-wide trail that allows two-way traffic and easier riding for novice snowmobilers.
Often when you do ride into the backcountry, you exit on the same trail you came in on. By spreading the trail, you make the ride out a little more enjoyable because you can travel a little faster and have the ability to pop in and out of the tracks. And if you do meet other riders on the trail, it’s a lot easier to slide right past them.