Thousands of skiers and snowboarders strip to their smalls and take to the slopes

 Posted on September 26, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  698 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Thousands of scantily-clad adventurers have put a spring in their step and taken to the slopes to celebrate the change in season.

Wearing little more than skimpy swimsuits or shorts, 1,500 skiers and snowboarders waved goodbye to winter on the snowy peaks of Siberia for the annual Grelka Festival.

Incredible images shows the relatively drab and cold surrounds of the Kemerovo region in central Russia bursting into colour for the 10-day festival.

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People in swimwear skiing and snowboarding down a slope during the Grelka Festival 2019 at the Sheregesh ski resort in central Russia

People in swimwear skiing and snowboarding down a slope during the Grelka Festival 2019 at the Sheregesh ski resort in central Russia

The annual event, in it's seventh consecutive year of operation, is said to be a celebration of the end of the long winter months experienced by the region

The annual event, in it's seventh consecutive year of operation, is said to be a celebration of the end of the long winter months experienced by the region

The festival lasts for 10 days and includes a whole host of activities including themed skiing and snowboarding competitions, karaoke nights, and the centrepiece swimsuit descent of the mountain

The festival lasts for 10 days and includes a whole host of activities including themed skiing and snowboarding competitions, karaoke nights, and the centrepiece swimsuit descent of the mountain

The centrepiece event of the skiing and snowboarding paradise is the descent of the Green Mountain in swimsuit attire which happened earlier today.

It is believed snow lovers came from as far away as Canada and Uganda to get stuck in on the slopes. 

Organisers have described the setting as perfect, saying: 'The sun is like Thailand, the snow is like in Austria, the party is like in Ibiza!'.

One snowboarder relaxes in a small swimsuit and large snow boots on a slope at the resort in Sheregesh

One snowboarder relaxes in a small swimsuit and large snow boots on a slope at the resort in Sheregesh

A women checks her phone as she sunbathes in the balmy 15C heat with beautiful white snow underfoot

A women checks her phone as she sunbathes in the balmy 15C heat with beautiful white snow underfoot

Over 10,000 spectators and 1,500 skiiers and snowboarders are believed to have attended the event over the almost two weeks of activities

Over 10,000 spectators and 1,500 skiiers and snowboarders are believed to have attended the event over the almost two weeks of activities

The festival includes a number of skiing competitions across the resort, which is the most developed in the Siberia region of Russia

The festival includes a number of skiing competitions across the resort, which is the most developed in the Siberia region of Russia

A themed competition sees competitors dressing up in Carnival-inspired outfits before taking to the slopes to claim a prize

A themed competition sees competitors dressing up in Carnival-inspired outfits before taking to the slopes to claim a prize

A women dance in the snow wearing a leopard print costume at the start of the festivities

A women dance in the snow wearing a leopard print costume at the start of the festivities

Around 1,500 skiers and snowboarders are believed to have taken part in the 'swimsuit descent' celebration of the start of spring

Around 1,500 skiers and snowboarders are believed to have taken part in the 'swimsuit descent' celebration of the start of spring

The 'Grelka Fest; is in its seventh consecutive year, held in the first weekend of April in southern Siberia.

Festival runners had created a packed agenda for attendees, including a Holi festival of colours party and a Karaoke-battle at the 'Alpen Club'.

There are also themed skiing and snowboarding competitions, with contestants being asked to use inflatable cars and dress in carnival costumes.

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Temperatures managed to reach a balmy 15C for the swimsuit snowsurfing event - but there was still thick snow under foot.

A total of more than 10,000 spectators attended the entire weekend festival, with multiple skiing and music events on offer. 

Sheregesh, the town in Kemerovo region which hosts the festival, is Siberia's most developed downhill skiing resort, located in the Gornaia Shoria region of the Altai mountain range.

Festival goers take part in a belated Holi festival of colors party on one of the slopes, and even a dog can be seen joining in

Festival goers take part in a belated Holi festival of colors party on one of the slopes, and even a dog can be seen joining in

Participants make their way down the mountainside in fancy dress with one wearing a comic alien character costume and a skier wearing a cultural dress and large accompanying wig

Participants make their way down the mountainside in fancy dress with one wearing a comic alien character costume and a skier wearing a cultural dress and large accompanying wig

A skiing pair wear gladiator outfits as the sun turns to clouds during a short snowfall

A skiing pair wear gladiator outfits as the sun turns to clouds during a short snowfall

Two skiers share a light hearted moment on the slopes as one admires the other's incredible costume

Two skiers share a light hearted moment on the slopes as one admires the other's incredible costume

Two skiers wear interesting costumes as a snowboarder in a bathrobe watches on and two soldiers (holding rifles) appear to struggle with the slippery conditions

Two skiers wear interesting costumes as a snowboarder in a bathrobe watches on and two soldiers (holding rifles) appear to struggle with the slippery conditions

A smiling witch, complete with fake crooked nose, makes her way down the slopes with the help of ski poles instead of a conventional broomstick

A smiling witch, complete with fake crooked nose, makes her way down the slopes with the help of ski poles instead of a conventional broomstick

Participants hold up illuminated coloured balloons in the 'mass start' of the Grelka Fest 2019 on April 6

Participants hold up illuminated coloured balloons in the 'mass start' of the Grelka Fest 2019 on April 6

Crowds gather in the small resort town to fill the streets with colour and costumes

Crowds gather in the small resort town to fill the streets with colour and costumes

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