Snow Conditions & Things to Do
Posted on: 22.02.2026
Updated on: 05.03.2026
The Estonian winter capital Otepää is inviting visitors to enjoy the winter while snow conditions still allow outdoor activities.
Recent rain and above-zero temperatures have significantly affected the condition of natural snow ski trails in the area, and maintenance work will resume once new snowfall arrives. However, there is good news for ski enthusiasts: the 3.3-kilometre competition track at Tehvandi Sports Center remains in very good condition and is open to all skiers until 8 March.
Preparations for the Biathlon World Cup
Starting 9 March, preparations will begin at Tehvandi for the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup Otepää 2026, and the ski tracks in Tehvandi will be closed to regular users from 9–15 March.
Visitors are encouraged to come and support both Estonian athletes and the world’s best biathletes during the Biathlon World Cup stage taking place from 12–15 March. Over the four competition days, spectators will also be able to enjoy a diverse cultural programme featuring music and family-friendly activities.
More information about the event can be found at biathlonotepaa.com.
Try Biathlon Yourself
Biathlon fans who would like to try the sport themselves can do so under the guidance of former Olympic athlete Priit Viks, host of Nuustaku Ranch. Visitors can experience shooting and biathlon training sessions, while a mobile laser-biathlon setup can even be organised indoors if the shooting range feels too challenging.
Nuustaku Ranch also offers training sessions, team-building events and other exciting activities. More information is available at nuustakurantso.ee.
Women’s Day Events in Otepää
Ahead of International Women’s Day, several special events will take place in Otepää.
On 6 March, singer and songwriter Mari Jürjens will host a conversation evening at Otepää Cultural Centre, discussing creativity, inspiration, life on and off stage, the importance of silence, and how to remain true to oneself in a changing world. The evening will feature thoughtful discussions, stories and musical moments in an intimate atmosphere. Tickets are available at the Otepää Cultural Centre box office and on Fienta.
On 7 March, the atmospheric Kivitalu restaurant Rock Summer invites guests to celebrate Women’s Day with a concert dinner dedicated to the women around us. The menu will feature carefully selected flavours and dishes created with attention to detail, while beloved musician Indrek Kalda will provide live music throughout the evening.
Alternatively, visitors can spend the evening at GMP Clubhotel & Pühajärve Restaurant, where Inga Lunge — actress, motivational speaker and writer — will share inspiring thoughts about personal balance, self-reflection and moving forward in life. The evening will include a three-course special menu created by head chef Koit Uustalu.
Outdoor Activities on Women’s Day
For those who prefer outdoor adventures, Loodusturism.ee invites visitors to explore the Pühajärve area on touring skis or kick sleds on Women’s Day. Private tours for groups can also be arranged, and equipment rentals are available by the lake on weekends.
More information and bookings are available at loodusturism.ee.
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!
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.
The Pühajärve–Kääriku pedestrian and cycling path
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.
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.