Estonia may be a largely flat northern country, but come winter it becomes one of the most accessible destinations for cross-country skiing.

While the Alps attract downhill skiers from across the globe, Estonia has cultivated a winter culture of its own – one defined by cross-country trails and a calm, unhurried closeness to nature. Lacking mountains has never mattered; skiing sits comfortably among the country’s seasonal rituals, setting the quiet rhythm of an Estonian winter.

A land made for skiing – only not the Alpine way

Estonia’s landscape is a modest one: forests, bogs and gentle hills rather than anything resembling dramatic peaks. With the country’s highest point rising only to 318 metres, alpine skiing was never destined to dominate. Yet the terrain has never been an impediment. The long, snow-covered months have instead encouraged something more reflective: a tradition of gliding through woods and open marshlands on narrow skis.

For generations, Estonians have taken to skis to move through the snow, breathe in fresh air and keep active through the coldest stretch of the year. Today, cross-country skiing remains one of the country’s most accessible and affordable winter pursuits, offering a simple way to step into the hush of Estonia’s winter landscape.

Credit: Patrick Federi

From lit city tracks to World Cup sprints, skiing anchors the season

Once the temperature dips, tracks appear everywhere: through forests, across small towns and even in urban parks. Many public trails are lit and regularly groomed, with facilities that are not only reliable but often entirely free for residents.

Last season, Estonia briefly reclaimed the international spotlight when the World Cup circuit staged a city-centre sprint in Tallinn on 19 March 2025. The 1.4-kilometre freestyle race unfolded in a strikingly urban setting rather than the usual wooded backdrop. For many spectators, it was a reminder that Estonia is not merely a forested winterland but a capable modern host for world-class events. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway took the men’s victory, while Italy’s Federico Pellegrino – a perennial crowd favourite – finished just outside the podium in fourth. In the women’s sprint, Switzerland’s Nadine Fähndrich dominated the field, and Finland’s Johanna Matintalo secured enough points to claim the Sprint Crystal Globe ahead of the season’s close.

Yet cross-country skiing in Estonia extends far beyond elite sport. It is a weekly family ritual, a quiet refuge for office workers and a reliable way for schoolchildren to burn off winter energy. Away from the fanfare of international competitions, skiing slips easily into the rhythm of ordinary life. The country’s extensive network of trails, combined with a general winter-sport sensibility, supports both competitive ambition and everyday recreation.

Alongside cross-country skiing, Estonia’s biathlon scene is steadily maturing. The country now fields full World Cup teams in both men’s and women’s categories and – as of 2025 – has qualified to send squads of both genders to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The women’s sprint final during the 2025 Tallinn World Cup.

Where ski trails run through the capital – and into an uncertain future

One of the more unexpected pleasures of Estonia in winter is the ability to cross-country ski within the capital itself – something rare in most countries. Tallinn maintains several popular areas each season, from the riverside forest trails of Pirita to the illuminated network in Nõmme. The ease of access is part of the country’s winter charm: there is no need for a car or a weekend trip into the countryside; in many cases, good tracks are only a short walk or tram ride away.

Within the Baltic region, Estonia stands out for both the density and accessibility of its ski trails. Latvia and Lithuania also offer cross-country routes and a handful of small alpine centres, but neither has quite the same network of lit forest paths or the tradition of skiing directly inside the capital. Latvia’s Sigulda and Lithuania’s Ignalina remain important hubs, yet Estonia’s mix of urban skiing, national facilities such as Otepää and regular international events gives the country a more prominent winter-sports profile.

Estonia, however, faces the same long-term pressures as its neighbours. Like much of the Nordic–Baltic region, it is contending with increasingly unreliable winters. Trail operators have become adept at snowmaking and grooming, often keeping kilometres of tracks open even in lean years.

But natural snow is no longer dependable, and sustaining ski infrastructure increasingly relies on artificial snow – an energy-heavy solution that raises questions of long-term viability. Estonia’s strong skiing culture and dedicated operators have so far kept the season alive, yet the future of winter sport in the Baltics will depend on how effectively these countries adapt to a climate changing faster than their traditions.

Cross Country skiing in Tehvandi, Otepää. Credit: Rauno Liivand

Skiing in Estonia is more than a sport – it is a reflection of how a small northern nation has learned to live with its landscape, turning modest terrain into a stage for winter life. From the illuminated tracks of Tallinn to the quiet woods around Otepää, Estonians greet the season with a mix of practicality and quiet delight.

Warmer winters bring new pressures, yet the country continues to invest in snowmaking and trail upkeep, keeping the tradition within reach. For visitors and locals alike, Estonia offers a winter experience defined not by mountains but by accessibility, calm nature and a longstanding affection for gliding through the snow.