Inspired by Sochi - teens take to snowboarding in Siberia

By Kate Baklitskaya, Go East

13 February 2014

It's minus 25C but Vlad and Sasha find a scenic spot to practice, inspired by the Winter Olympics.

'There are two ski resorts in Khanty-Mansiysk, so there's no need to go far away if you want to ski or snowboard,' says Sasha, 15. 'But this hill is even closer so we come here. No one in the church minds that we snowboard here.' Picture: The Siberian Times

Here in the oil capital of Khanty-Mansiysk - a ski-ing centre of international importance with annual biathlon competitions - the are plenty of good pistes for boarding. But when time is short, the centre of the town in the shadow of the magnificent Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ does just as well.

'I've been snowboarding just for 5 days' - says Vlad, 15, proudly, who in spite of being a beginner has no fear. 'I already try jumping.' Landing on his face or back doesn't stop Vlad and he walks up the hill again and again. Sasha's more experienced, he's been snowboarding for 2 years.

Sasha with shovel

'Yes, we do watch Olympic snowboarding competition. Sadly our team wins nothing,' comments Sasha on the Russian performance. Picture: The Siberian Times

'There are two ski resorts in Khanty-Mansiysk, so there's no need to go far away if you want to ski or snowboard,' says Sasha, also 15. 'But this hill is even closer so we come here. No one in the church minds that we snowboard here.'

Landing on his face or back doesn't stop Vlad and he walks up the hill again and again. Sasha's more experienced, he's been snowboarding for 2 years. Pictures: The Siberian Times

Like many budding sports fans, they are watching the Sochi Games avidly. 'Yes, we do watch Olympic snowboarding competition. Sadly our team wins nothing,' comments Sasha on the Russian performance. But then maybe they are others will be inspired to wins some medals in future. see Kate Baklitskaya's pictures below.

Vlad sitting on the hill