"Best Transport": Russians Debate Murmansk Skier's City Run
Ski racing and triathlon coach Ivan Selivanov from Murmansk skied through the city on cross-country skis and recorded it on video. The clip quickly spread on social media and sparked active discussion among users from various regions of Russia.
According to Ivan, the idea for the ride was not spontaneous. He had already skied a similar route last year during a heavy evening snowfall. That video also became popular, but the reaction was mixed: in the comments, he was accused of hooliganism and breaking rules.
«Some saw it as an act of hooliganism, some as an act of disregard for municipal services, some... well, in general, it all depends on the person. Everyone sees what they want to see,» explains Ivan.
He emphasizes that there was no hidden message in the video. For him, it was a personal impulse and an experiment with format, not a social protest or criticism of city services.
«I felt like going for a ride, I wanted to make a video, I wanted it to go viral, and that’s basically what happened,» says Ivan.
The route was familiar to him. Selivanov lives in the center of Murmansk and regularly travels to Dolina Uyuta (Valley of Comfort), where he has a rental service and holds trainings. The one-way journey takes about five kilometers and is often used as a full workout when there isn’t time for a separate session.
According to the athlete, the reaction from passersby was calm: people simply gave way. Sometimes someone would turn around or record video, once drivers of a passing car showed a sign of approval, but overall the ride didn’t cause a commotion on the street.
Ivan also notes that he wanted to show cross-country skiing as a possible means of transportation—a practice common in northern countries. In his opinion, such things seem strange only until people start seeing it regularly.
Ivan doesn’t plan trips to other cities: for that, rare weather conditions and free time are needed. However, he doesn’t rule out that in winter he might ski through Murmansk again and record a new route—if the desire and «inner impulse» arise.
Russians left comments like these under the video.
«At first, I thought I was seeing things—Murmansk. It turned out wonderfully.»
«When you choose to be happy.»
«You should live as your soul desires.»
«Vanya, you almost passed by my office.»
«Similarly, I sometimes ski at night in Petrozavodsk.»
«Best transport.»
