thumb|right|Position of the snowmobile while skipping
Snowmobile skipping, snowmobile watercross, snowmobile skimming, water skipping or puddle jumping is a sport and/or exhibition where snowmobile racers hydroplane their sleds across lakes or rivers. If the rider backs out of the throttle or the sled bogs or floods out, the sled will sink. The first race was simply held to see who could make it the from the island on Memory Lake to the shore. Most didn't, but the winner did go about . In the years following, racers became more skilled and machines more powerful. Today, racers compete in drags and ovals, with an eight-lap championship run. Over 100 racers compete in the various classes. The Classes range from the beginners' Stock Drags to the top Pro-Open Ovals Class. Competitive watercross is run by two main circuits. The IWA (International Watercross Association) operates mainly in the Midwest, while the EWA (Eastern Watercross Association) operates in the Northeastern States.
In most cases, participants in watercross strip their snowmobiles of all non-essential parts—including the seat—to save weight.
On June 25, 2013, Antti Holmberg of Finland set the record for snowmobile skipping at 180 km (112 miles). On September 18, 2015, the record is now set at 212 km (131.731 miles) by the Norwegian Morten Blien.
Safety
thumb|right|Snowmobile skipping right after leaving shore. Note the rider is wearing a life jacket
Watercross competitions are held during the summer and the participants of official events wear life jackets and helmets, In July 2010, a 40-year-old man died in Anaktuvuk Pass while attempting to skim across Eleanor Lake. In January 2018, a 48-year-old man died after partially skipping across Sturgeon Lake (Ontario).
The practice of "skimming" is illegal in the states of Minnesota and Maine. On the contrary, in Wisconsin there are places where skimming is encouraged, and some businesses rely on it to attract customers, for example at Bauer's Dam in Conover, Wisconsin.