Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Trip Skating in Estonia

Trip skating (also known as nordic skating or tour skating) is a recreational form of ice skating on natural ice. Estonian sea shore and numerous lakes offer great possibilities to skate. Trip skating is fast enough to be interesting at the same time being calm and nature friendly activity.


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The skating season in Estonia usually lasts from the end of December till the middle of March. Best skating time is the beginning of January when ice on the sea is strong enough and clean from snow. Best places for trip skating in Estonia are:
- Soodla water reservoir – this is a man made lake where Tallinn partly gets its water. Reservoir is almost 7 km long offering great possibilities for nature friendly activity.
- Hiiumaa islets in western Estonia – protected and shallow sea ensures good ice conditions that stay stable during the entire winter. Skating takes place in nature protection area that is open for visitors during the winter time. There are some great tourist farms that offer value prices during the winter.
- Haapsalu bay between Haapsalu and Noarootsi – this shallow bay is protected from Baltic sea waves. It freezes early in the season. Haapsalu bay is known as a good place for ice sailing competitions. Accommodation in Haapsalu is easy to find and affordable during the winter months.
- Bays on the North coast of Estonia – they froze only during coldest winters and usually late February. But when they froze they offer great skating opportunities while other areas might already be covered with snow. (Source: Seikleja.com

Seikleja.Com is offering tours to all of these regions. )

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