The 2017 Barents Friendship Ski Race, better known in Russia as the Ski Track of Friendship, crossing the borders of Russia, Finland and Norway, is devoted to the Year of the Environment in Russia. This has come from the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergei Donskoi at a meeting with the Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun, as reported by the ministerial press service.

"We cooperate and maintain friendly relations with our northern neighbors as regards political and cultural matters, and we also join hands in protecting the fragile nature of the Arctic. We also realize that efforts to promote sports, a healthy lifestyle and protect the environment are interrelated — they help us preserve our health and the health of future generations," Donskoi noted.

The 12-kilometer long Barents Friendship Ski Race is scheduled to begin March 11 from the village of Rayakoski. Participants will ski six kilometers in Russia, one kilometer in Finland and another five in Norway. Part of the route will pass along the border-line Paz River, part of Pasvik Nature Reserve.

This international ski race is to involve about 3,000 athletes and physical fitness enthusiasts.