Žagarkalns is a small outdoor ski hill on the banks of the Gauja near Cēsis in Latvia, a low-altitude local centre built around snowmaking, freestyle features and family runs.
- 59 m Base
- 103 m Top lift
- 44 m Vertical
- 5 Pistes mapped
- 5 Lifts
Best known for
Après & vibe
A relaxed base area with catering, and the nearby medieval town of Cēsis for cafes, a castle and Latvian character.
The snow centre
Žagarkalns is a genuine outdoor ski centre set on the wooded slopes above the Gauja river in the Gauja National Park, close to the historic town of Cēsis in central Latvia. Like all Baltic ski hills it is low and gentle, so its short pistes lean on snowmaking and its appeal rests on being an easy, affordable day out rather than serious mountain skiing. It is well set up for families and beginners, and has a reputation locally for freestyle and snowboarding with a small terrain park. The riverside forest setting is attractive, and in summer the same site turns to camping and river activities. Come for a relaxed Latvian winter outing rather than long descents.
The slope
Gentle runs and rental facilities make it a good learner hill.
Short pistes give improvers easy cruising.
Little steep terrain, though the park adds interest.
No expert pistes; strong skiers come only for the freestyle features.
Freestyle by the Gauja
Žagarkalns is known among Latvians for snowboarding and a terrain park, set on the forested banks of the Gauja river.
On the map
Legend
Run difficulty
- Novice
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced / Expert
- Freeride / Extreme
- Unknown
Run types
- Downhill — groomed
- Downhill — ungroomed
- Downhill — gladed
- Nordic (groomed)
- Ski tour
- ☾Lit (night)
- △Not patrolled
- →One-way
- ❄Snowmaking
Lifts
- Operating
- Operating (private)
- Non-operating
- Lift station
Slope-gradient grading
Downhill / ski tour
- Flat<3°
- Easy3–14°
- Intermediate14–22°
- Advanced / Expert22–45°
- Freeride / Extreme>45°
Nordic
- Easy<6°
- Intermediate6–9°
- Advanced>9°
Aspect (sun exposure)
- N — least sun
- E — morning
- S — most sun
- W — afternoon
Legend after OpenSkiMap
Stay near Žagarkalns
Cēsis, a short distance away, offers the best choice of hotels and guesthouses; the site itself is geared to day visitors and summer camping.
A base in town — the snow centre is a day trip, not a resort stay.
Self-catering flexibility for a family visit or a longer city break.
Handy if the centre is a stopover between flights.
Book access to Žagarkalns
Snow sessions, lessons and slope passes for Žagarkalns.
Online access tickets for Žagarkalns will be bookable here shortly. In the meantime, book direct on the venue's own site.
How to get there
Riga is the international gateway, an easy drive north-east to the Cēsis area.
A straightforward road journey from Riga through the Gauja National Park; a car is the simplest option.
Best time: Best in mid-winter, roughly December to February, when cold weather and snowmaking keep the pistes open.
Nearby resorts
Other resorts within reach.
Ozolkalns
- Vertical
- 75 m
- Lifts
- 3
Faces west © ogre11 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0) Riekstukalns
- Vertical
- 45 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 19
- Lifts
- 20
Faces west © Toomas Tsamoot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0) Kuutsemae
- Vertical
- 56 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 7
- Lifts
- 5
Faces north © Lauri / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) Tehvandi Snowpark
- Vertical
- 76 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 5
- Lifts
- 5
Milzkalns
- Vertical
- 40 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 4
- Lifts
- 10
Kütioru Centre
- Vertical
- 68 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 3
- Lifts
- 3
Getting to Žagarkalns
Book an airport transfer up to the resort, or pick up a car at Helsinki (HEL) — search and compare without leaving the page.
Ski data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via OpenSkiMap & Skimap.org. Basemap © OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles. Editorial: mynext.holiday. Accommodation via Stay22; transfers via Kiwitaxi; car hire via Travelpayouts.