The study is focused on establishing a new approach to assess the soil deformation and compaction processes under the influence of individual components of the skidding system such as forwarder, limbs, butts, and tops of tree-lengths in high latitudes, permafrost soil, and forests of the cryolithic zone. This is particularly relevant with respect to global climate change and vulnerability of high-latitude forest ecosystems, as well as the increasing need to reduce the environmental consequences of human activities. Skidding is the most environmentally harmful operation in forest harvesting, which requires optimization as a matter of priority. Extensive studies emphasize the importance of minimizing the ecological impacts in harvesting processes, but a relatively small amount of works was performed on studying the skidding systems. In the meantime, careful consideration of soil conditions and sustainable route planning can significantly reduce the negative consequences.