Siberian snowboarders strip for cameras

Tourism chiefs in Siberia persuaded snowboarders to brave the region's notoriously bitter winter weather in hotpants and bikini tops.

It was for a promotional film designed to encourage skiers and snowboarders to the region's Sheregesh resort.

Siberia is on a drive to draw more tourists away from Moscow to visit the country's frozen east, where temperatures dip to minus 30 degrees Celsius in winter.

They also hope to entice adventurous winter sports enthusiasts away from more traditional resorts in the Alps.

"We are quite remote but we're up and coming," said a tourist board spokesman.

"We can't guarantee a show like this every day but we're pretty relaxed out here in Siberia.

"And we have the best snowboarding powder anywhere in Europe."

Locals also plan to open a Yeti theme park this year to cash in on frequent sightings of the mythical beast in the area.

Sheregesh deputy mayor Igor Idimeshev, 48, said: "Now, if the girls can tempt out some ski-ing Yetis, then we really will be in business."