Snow information
Posted on: 22.02.2026
Otepää invites everyone to enjoy excellent winter conditions!
Ski enthusiasts will be delighted by the brand-new ski center Tehvandi Snowpark, where a downhill slope with an excellent profile and freestyle and snowboard park rails await you! Tehvandi Snowpark is open Tue–Fri from 15:00–20:00 and on weekends from 10:00–18:00. Individual ski lessons and training are offered on site for both children and recreational skiers. The beginner slope with attractions is free for everyone!
On Friday, February 13, from 18:00–20:00, Tehvandi Snowpark will also host a People’s Slalom, where everyone can test themselves against the clock on the slalom course. On Saturday morning, the hill will host the Youth Series and Veterans Estonian Championships in Giant Slalom! Come and enjoy the magic of winter at Tehvandi Snowpark and see more at snowpark.ee.
The ski centers Munakas and Kuutsekas are also waiting for you! On Fridays, Munakas has night skiing open until 22:00. On Sunday, February 15, all young mountain sports enthusiasts should head to Kuutsemäe, because as part of the Mountain Sports Family Day there will be free introductions to alpine skiing and snowboarding for all beginner youngsters aged 5 to 18. More detailed information can be found on the centers’ Facebook pages and websites: munakas.ee or kuutsekas.ee.
As befits the Winter Capital, it is now also possible to ski downhill right in the city center. In the Otepää Cultural Centre Park, the park slope has been prepared, which, in addition to sledding, is also very good for beginner instruction in alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle. Next to the approximately 120-meter slope with a suitable gradient, there is also an about 1 km cross-country loop. The park has a playground as well as nearby equipment rental points, so the Cultural Centre Park is ideal for getting acquainted with mountain sports. On February 17, everyone is also invited to enjoy a traditional sled ride!
True cross-country skiing fans from both Estonia and abroad will surely gather for this weekend’s 52nd Tartu Marathon, which will take place in full length on the original course between Otepää and Elva! The classic 63 km main distance, starting from Tehvandi, will take place on Sunday. So it’s worth spending the weekend in the skiing buzz of the Winter Capital!
A peaceful moment for celebrating Valentine’s Day is offered by Ugandi Resto with its four-course special menu created specifically for this special evening. GMP Clubhotel and Pühajärve Restaurant will also treat guests to a sweet surprise.
Loodusturism.ee hiking organizers invite you to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Saturday with a special event on the ice of Lake Pühajärv. At 18:00, participants will gather on the heart trail with illuminated kick sleds, after which the group will head out together on a light sled hike.
At Lake Pühajärv, Estonia’s longest snow-cleared ice hiking trail is also open — about 11 km long and following the entire shoreline around the lake. In addition, earlier turn-back options are in use, with loop routes of about 7 km and 3 km. At the start of the ice trails you’ll find a 500 m warm-up loop and 300 m of heart-shaped movement joy. On both sides of the approx. 3 km ice trail there is a classic track for touring skiers. More detailed info and ongoing announcements can be found on the Facebook page Pühajärve Matkabaas.
Even more exciting hikes are coming up, and for example it’s already worth thinking about celebrating Shrove Tuesday or Estonia’s Independence Day on kick sleds. You can also order a private arrangement for your group at a suitable time or rent hiking gear to adventure on your own. Sat–Sun, a rental point by the lake is open for kick sleds, Finnish sleds with seats, touring skis, and snowshoes. Conditions on the ice are suitable for kick-sled hikes, as perfect skating ice is scarce — but can be found.
For skaters, better conditions are provided by special ice rinks, which you can use with your own skates at any time and for free at the ice rink on the tennis court of Pühajärve Spa & Holiday Resort, and in Otepää town center opposite Winterplace. Located in the Linnamäe valley, the Winterplace winter park offers great tubing opportunities and is open Saturdays 10:00–20:00 and Sundays 10:00–18:00.
For more adrenaline-filled rides, head to the snowmobile centers! Operating below Kuutsemäe, JK Moto Kelgukeskus, Paap Kõlari Safarikeskus and Motorent offer the chance to enjoy ideal winter conditions on snowmobile safaris and tours. Suitable snowmobiles can be found even for children from the age of 3, so families and larger groups are welcome. JK Moto Kelgukeskus is open Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00; on weekdays rides are available by pre-booking.
You’ll find true winter joy and lasting memories in Otepää!
The winter mood is created by the Winter Capital’s official radio station SkyPlus!
Ski Centers
For alpine skiing fans there are 3 centers in the area: Väike-Munamäe Ski Center, also known as Munakas, the Kuutsemäe Ski Center, and A NEW SKI CENTER TEHVANDI SNOWPARK!
Tehvandi Snowpark: Tue–Fri 12:00–20:00, Sat & Sun 10:00–18:00
Munakas Ski Center: Mon–Fri 11:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–19:00 and Sun 10:00–18:00.
Kuutsekas Ski Center: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–18:00 and Sun 10:00–18:00.
Equipment can be rented both at the ski hills and in ski rentals located in Otepää.
Cross-country
Otepää is a cross-country skiing paradise!
You can enjoy ski trails both at Tehvandi and Kääriku.
At Tehvandi there is a 10 km touring trail, a 2.5 km Ansomäe shooting range trail, and the Tartu Marathon trail. All trails can be skied in both classic and free technique; due to limited snow conditions, some sections may be poorer. A very well-maintained 3.3 km competition track made of artificial snow is open and lit until 21:00.
At Kääriku, in addition to the Kekkonen trail, there are also 1–5 km trails. Trail conditions are satisfactory, and on wooded sections of the Kekkonen classic trail the track can be sparse in places and there may be some fallen branches, but it is skiable.
The Pühajärve–Kääriku pedestrian and cycling path is in good condition!
Otepää Winterplace
Otepää Winterplace is Estonia’s largest winter park, located in the center of Otepää in the Linnamäe valley. The whole family can enjoy active leisure time here. Otepää Winterplace — a place to be happy!
Interesting winter activities are available for children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. We offer: snow tubing lanes, a sled hill, an ice rink, an igloo cinema, a tubing carousel for small children, a winter play area, a snack igloo, and of course lots of snow. The park’s slopes are covered with artificial snow produced using today’s top technology.
At the Winterplace winter park you can go tubing Sat 10:00–20:00 and Sun 10:00–18:00.
See more details HERE
Loodusturism.ee
Loodusturism.ee hiking organizers, with nature’s permission, will also this winter season create and maintain as needed the country’s longest ice hiking trail on Lake Pühajärv — about 10 km long and following the shoreline around the entire lake. In addition, if possible, earlier turn-back routes are also kept in use with total lengths of 2.5 km and 5 km.
On a daily basis, we are ready in the Otepää tourism region to serve companies and groups of friends looking to fill winter days with activities on FAT-scooters and kick sleds, touring skis and touring skates, snowshoes. Activities take place in the morning, during the day, and also in the evening with light lamps.
In addition, a hiking equipment rental is open for those adventuring on their own.
You can also register for scheduled hikes. For example, coming up:
Sun 8.02 at 11, 13, 15 — the 10th Lake Pühajärv hike marathon on kick sleds (participation medals).
Sat 14.02 — Valentine’s Day celebration and an evening light sled ride, plus the traditional group drone photo on the heart loop.
More info about hikes, public events, and the ice trail: Imre Arro
Tel 527 2701 or imre@loodusturism.ee, loodusturism.ee
Winter Swimming Hole at Lake Pühajärv
At the Lake Pühajärv beach, the winter swimming hole offers a refreshing dip.
More info from Ene at +372 522 8000
Nuustaku Ranch
Exciting activities — especially if you want to come with a larger group or are planning a team event — are also offered by Nuustaku Ranch. A full winter-day package where you can compete in, for example, hockey, figure skating, ski jumping, and sledding, as well as skiing and shooting in every possible way. Or join a hike combined with ski and sauna training. In short, there is something suitable and unforgettable for every group.
For biathlon fans — if it looks easy on TV, come and try it yourself. Under the guidance of Nuustaku Ranch host and former Olympic athlete Priit Viks, everyone can try biathlon, and if shooting at the Otepää range seems difficult, a top athlete can even arrange mobile laser biathlon — even in your living room! See more: nuustakurantso.ee
Motopark
Come snowmobiling with your family or a group of friends! We’ll find a suitable pace and routes for your group.
We have about 17 sporty sleds, so if your experience is sufficient, we can offer a very fast yet safe ride. We also ride snowmobiles in small groups through the evening or night forest — lights on, quiet all around… A picnic by the campfire is also possible.
Motopark is a family business with a selection of Ski-Doo and Lynx sport snowmobiles, created specifically to serve families, smaller friend groups, and motorsport enthusiasts on winding forest trails among Otepää’s scenic forests and rolling hills — for those who want something similar to a motorcycle, but new and different to try.
The price includes a guide on their own sled, who first provides thorough training, supervises practice rides, and then chooses a suitable pace and routes for the group. More info: mootorsaanirent.ee
JK Moto Sled Center
If you’re looking for a winter adventure, it’s worth visiting the JK Moto Sled Center at Kuutsemäe, where you can rent snowmobiles and join exciting snowmobile safaris!
When coming with family, even the smallest — from the age of 3 — can use suitable snowmobiles. A child-appropriate sled is selected so they can safely try it out on the practice area, and the more confident ones can join a family safari together.
JK Moto Sled Center is open Sat & Sun 10:00–18:00; on weekdays rides are available by pre-booking. See more at www.kelgukeskus.ee.
Safari Center
Adrenaline-filled snowmobile safaris for groups of different levels are offered by Paap Kõlari Safari Center!
On Otepää’s exciting hiking trails, both children and adults can try snowmobiling; longer tours are also organized and you can choose packages that include accommodation.
In addition to sleds, a snow taxi is also available — a modern enclosed trailer sled pulled by a special Yamaha snowmobile, which can carry up to four adults and two children at a time. The soft and warm snow taxi is great for families with children of all ages, as well as everyone else — and of course for those who, due to their condition, cannot ride a snowmobile themselves.
More info at www.paap.ee.
Winter Market “Otepää Ott”
Otepää Ott — the “From Producer to Consumer” winter market — brings authentic and fresh food to Otepää’s central square every Friday. At the market you’ll find local produce, sweets, and Estonian handicrafts. The winter market is open Fridays 15:00–18:00!
PS! In very cold weather, the market may partly take place in the Otepää market hall.
More info HERE
Disc Golf Winter Park
At the Tehvandi Sports Center Disc Golf Park, there is a winter course with 9 baskets (baskets No. 6–14), starting and ending by the Tehvandi Hotel.
Relaxation and Well-being
After an active day, Otepää also offers excellent opportunities for relaxation.
You can enjoy sauna pleasures, for example, at the pool of Pühajärve Spa & Holiday Resort and in the saunas of Kääriku Sports Center. Pühajärve Spa & Holiday Resort also offers various relaxing treatments.
The region’s various restaurants, pubs, and cafés offer great food experiences.