Hey there, adventurer! From Australia’s sunburnt optimism to Estonia’s snow-covered determination — the latest European winter newsletter from Visit Estonia is here. Read to make you rethink cardio, comfort and what counts as a sensible holiday.
If you started 2026 with vague promises of “getting fitter” or “doing something adventurous,” Estonia would like a word. Winter there isn’t for slowing down — it’s when people sign up for things, train stubbornly, and accept suffering as part of the fun.
The logic is persuasive: rowing feels less grim when it’s helping you survive a 100-kilometre river race. Jogging becomes meaningful when it ends with a medal, a sauna and dinner you absolutely deserve.
Estonia: where weekends involve finish lines
Estonia’s sporting calendar has a special talent for turning casual interest into full commitment. Yes, there are European and World Championships — but there’s also a very Estonian enthusiasm for “let’s just see how far we can go”.
Running, skiing, cycling, rallying — these events attract everyone from serious athletes to people who registered months ago and are now politely panicking. The reward? Community, bragging rights and a deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Read more about Estonia’s biggest sporting events
Tartu takes marathons very personally
If marathons had a spiritual home, Tartu would like to apply. Its running, cycling and skiing events are not just races — they are cultural institutions.
The legendary ski marathon, often dubbed the “Winter Song Festival”, draws enormous crowds who appear unfazed by cold, distance or common sense. Other routes snake through forests, countryside and city streets, casually proving that in Estonia, winter isn’t something to endure — it’s something to show off.
Read more about Tartu’s marathons.
Slide first, eat buns later
Winter adventure also means sledding downhill for the sake of agricultural prosperity, then immediately rewarding yourself with a bun full of whipped cream because… obviously. Vastlapäev (Shrove Tuesday) is folklore, generously buttered.
Once upon a time, longer sled rides meant better flax crops. These days, the focus is more on seasonal food, cheerful chaos and cafés competing to outdo each other with increasingly indulgent buns. Progress comes in many forms.
Read more: Sledding and sweet buns: Shrovetide in Estonia
The great outdoors does not close for winter
When winter hits, Estonians do not retreat indoors. They simply change footwear (and add five layers of clothing). Snowshoes, skis, skates and kick sledges turn frozen bogs, beaches and forests into accessible adventure zones.
Trails are well-marked, gear can be rented, and nature is never far — even from cities. The national motto applies: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. (You — yes, you — in a pink miniskirt trying to impress someone in this weather. We see you. No hot chocolate for you. You absolutely know better.)
Read more: Thrilling outdoor winter activities in Estonia
Ice skating, but make it cinematic and slightly surreal
Ice skating in Estonia does not stop at neat little rinks. When conditions allow, people glide across frozen lakes, bog pools and even the sea — wide, silent spaces that feel more sci-fi than sport.
Guided tours help newcomers explore safely, often adding hot drinks, outdoor snacks or a post-skate sauna. City rinks keep things lively, while indoor ice halls ensure skating never really goes out of season.
Read more: The best places to go ice skating in Estonia
The Visit Estonia newsletter
Visit Estonia newsletters are less about selling destinations and more about explaining how life actually works — culture, seasons, movement and food all tangled together. They are deeply effective at making winter look appealing and staying inside feel like a missed opportunity.
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