Disc golf in summer, biathlon in winter
Hemingway once wrote that you can find at least two Estonians in every port in the world. The same may be true of Estonian athletes – if there is a sport, an Estonian plays it. Estonia has produced top-ranking tennis players, rally drivers, fencers, skiers, and swimmers; even the NBA and NFL have Estonians on their rosters.
Tallinn to host top disc golf events
Estonia has also produced one of the best disc golf players in the world, Kristin Tattar. She won back-to-back World Championships in 2022 and 2023, and her popularity has led to a disc golf boom in Estonia.
From July 26th to 28th, Tallinn will host the 2024 European Disc Golf Festival at the legendary Song Festival Grounds. In 2025, Tallinn will also host a Majors event – the disc golf equivalent to Wimbledon or the French Open.
If you’re attending a disc golf event in Estonia, schedule extra time to play at a few courses around the country. They’re often in stunning natural areas, and many are in public parks, making them free to play – just bring your own discs!
Scenic disc golf courses in Estonia
- Outside Pärnu, Tattar’s hometown, you can play a round at the White Beach disc golf course, then relax on the beach at Estonia’s most popular summer destination.
- Id-Viru County in northeast Estonia has Mäetaguse disc golf park (better for more advanced players due to its challenging terrain) and the Alutaguse disc golf course at the Alutaguse Health and Sports Centre. At the Alutaguse course, beginners can take a disc golf class before heading to the baskets. Both options are close to excellent hiking, including trails near the Kurtna Lakes and along the Selisoo boardwalk.
- Right on the edge of the Northern Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve you’ll find two disc golf courses at the Sportland Kõrvemaa Hike and Ski Resort. Advanced players will enjoy the challenge of a hilly course, while beginners can rent equipment and take a disc golf class at the resort. The nature reserve is also a great spot to try another uniquely Estonian sport – bog shoeing!
Biathlon: the winter sport that brings out the crowds
Estonians are active outdoors in any weather; even schoolchildren learn to cross-country ski and ice skate in their Phys Ed classes. In recent years, Estonia has fallen in love with biathlons, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. It has quickly become the nation’s favorite winter sport, and nearly 10 percent of the Estonian population watches competitions on TV during the winter.
Estonians also flock to see live world-class biathlon events every year in Otepää, in South Estonia. After the city successfully organized the BMW IBU World Cup in March 2022, Otepää received the honor of hosting the BMW IBU World Cup again in March 2026, and the BMW IBU World Championships in February 2027. These exciting biathlon events will draw tens of thousands of biathlon fans to Estonia. Will you be one of them?
