Skiing in Latvia

• Riekstukalns is near Baldone, close to Riga.
• Its beginner slope has a slower lift and a magic carpet; steeper runs and a snowpark offer other challenges.
• Milzkalns is in the Tukums area and combines eleven runs with a snowpark.
• Sigulda is closer to the Gauja and offers short slopes with artificial snowmaking and equipment rental.
• Slope length, practice facilities and travel times vary significantly between Latvia’s destinations.

Riekstukalns is near Baldone, around 30 minutes by car from the Riga city limits. The runs are graded by difficulty: the lift on the beginner slope moves more slowly, and there is a magic carpet for small children. Sports Hang is steeper, while the snowpark has its own lift and, according to the operator, is a facility for more advanced riders. This layout is useful for families or mixed-ability groups, as not everyone has to use the same slope. You can also plan a break at the café and observation tower. According to the operator, opening hours may change in poor weather and at the beginning or end of the season.

In Sigulda, the City slope is close to the Gauja Valley. It has two runs, 350 and 200 metres long, a vertical drop of 90 metres, artificial snow and equipment rental. It’s a compact option for a short day of skiing; nearby, Reiņa trase also offers a two-kilometre cross-country skiing loop. If you’d like more runs to choose from, Žagarkalns in the Cēsis area has twelve runs of varying difficulty and training facilities. Nearby Ozolkalns features illuminated slopes up to 500 metres long and a chairlift. The resorts therefore differ not only in location, but also in slope length and evening operations.

The Milzkalns ski hill near Tukums offers eleven runs and a snowpark, making it an alternative to driving from Riga to Baldone. At Gaiziņkalns, the resort combines ski slopes with accommodation and a sauna. This makes it easier to plan a stay as a weekend getaway rather than just a trip from Riga to a ski slope.

At Riekstukalns, opening hours may change in poor weather and at the beginning or end of the season, so allow some flexibility in your day’s schedule. For the rest of your trip, see the advice on getting there and back and planning a ski holiday.