Page 125 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

EASTERN EST ONIA  123

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing is a popular winter pastime in Estonia. When Estonia won three gold medals for
skiing events at the 2006 Winter Olympics, the medallists were hailed as national heroes
and “ski fever” gripped the country. Although Estonia has a flat terrain, there are
numerous ski hills, such as the 318-m (1,043-ft) high Suur Munamägi, that offer snow-
boarding and downhill skiing. There are many ski resorts around Otepää. However, since
Estonia is blanketed in snow throughout winter, the ski resorts are crowded until spring.
The annual Tartu Ski Marathon (see p53) is held at Kuutsemäe Ski Resort and has seen as
many as 10,000 participants. Snowboarding is also fast gaining popularity in the region
and Baltic snowboarders compete with the best in Europe in “trick park” acrobatics.

The Tartu Ski Marathon
is one of the highlights
of the winter sports
calendar in Estonia.
This 63-km (39-mile)
WorldLoppet series event
attracts competitors from
all over the world.
The festive proceedings
also provide plenty of
other skiing activities
for non-professionals
as well as children.
Winter time in Otepää draws hordes of ski-
lovers, as this idyllic “Winter Capital” has
several resorts, such as the one on Väike
Munamägi (Small Egg Hill), 2 km (1 mile)
from Otepää. Snowboarding, ice skating and
snowtubing are popular in this attractive
southern town.

Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (b.1977)
A cross-country skier, Tartu-born Kristina Šmigun has Kuutsemäe Ski Resort is a seven-slope
achieved remarkable success in her field, which has skiing facility about 14 km (9 miles)
made her a national hero among sports enthusiasts in outside Otepää. Its cross-country skiing
Estonia. Her parents, Anatoli Šmigun and Rutt Rehemaa, tracks are well marked out.
were also successful skiers. Kristina has won six medals at
the FIS Nordic World
Championships, including a
gold medal in 2003. Her Andrus Veerpalu
greatest success to date, (b. 1971), winner of
however, was to become two Olympic gold
the first Estonian woman to medals and one silver
win two gold medals at medal, is Estonia’s most
the 2006 Turin Winter successful Olympic
Olympic Games. She won athlete. The cross-
the 2 x 7.5 km (4.5 miles) country skier has
double pursuit and the Kristina Šmigun at the Turin also won gold and
10 km (6 miles) classical. Winter Olympic Games silver in the World
Championships.

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