Correspondence: spending Winters and Summers in Latvia

Hello my name is Daniel from Australia, my grandfather Alfreds was a displaced person after ww2 and couldn't go home to his family in Latvia because the Russians would not play nice with someone who fought for Germany.
These facts about my lineage have always fascinated me and I often find myself just thinking about Latvia then and now, my grandfather and just plain pondering what life is like there.
My uncle recently went to Latvia and showed me photographs which heightened my curiosity.
I don't claim to be ready for marriage haha or any of that nonsense, but I would just appreciate to talk about issues and life in general in comparison to where I'am from - Queensland Australia.
Winters in Latvia are a source of contemplation for me because I have never seen the snow...what do you do in winter when it's so cold and dark? Life just goes on? Thanks

Say if I was to come for a holiday to Latvia in winter is there locations to try snowboarding and skiing type activities, besides that what is there to do in frozen land if a person doesnt drink alcohol?
On the other hand say I was to come in summer do people surf and kitesurf? Preferably near liepaja where my grandfather came from.

At first, welcome to our forum, and for sure you're welcome to Latvia! Disregarding what your grandfather did, we couldn't live in the past. We have now 21st century on board and whatever we all should do, is not to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.

Regarding winters - snow is actually the funniest thing here, specially for kids, but actually for everyone. Most time Latvian weather looks like something grey and truly alcohol-addicted, but winter makes it all pure white. Unfortunately, in the past years there's not a lot of snow in Latvia. But sometimes, there could be a really cold severe "Russian" winter. I've attached couple of pics to this post to show


Yes, there are, and I believe, they are a lot. The most popular place is Ski Track in Sigulda city. All major Latvian competitions take place directly on this slope, also Latvian snowboard team for Olympics take coaching there.

Another cross-country ski tracks are located in Zilie Kalni park, they are about 10 km long.

Both places are less than 1 hour of driving distance from Riga.


Probably, sometimes, but it's not so popular like in Australian ocean The Baltic sea is calm, sea waves are low. It's not quite suitable for surfing. Diving is more popular, searching for diving latvia will bring you more results and places. As I know, this is specially popular in Eastern Latvian lakes. Lakes are more calm than the Baltic sea, and the nature side there is more rich.

Overall, summer and sun are also capricious in Latvia. For example, this year the temperature doesn't go higher than +21...22°C, there often rains and nights are cold. Most likely you could catch the "good" sun in July and the first 1/2 of August, but also not always.

So if you spend your days in Latvia, be prepared for nothing special however for someone avoiding bustling it could be ideal... there's no active life, there's no big buzz as well.

Ok thank you I'am determined to get there and see my grandfathers country...Iam 32 and do not drink or party so I think I will have a great time focusing on the natural side of the nation and seeing how people outside of Riga live.
Only decision is to choose between summer or winter, I like the idea of going in winter as I've never seen the snow it would be totally amazing for me from sunburnt Australia.
I find your statements " be prepared for nothing special, theres no active life, there's no big buzz as well" amusing.
I think you are being overly modest, what I read and see makes me want to go, if I come wanting to experience a totally different culture and climate than Iam accustomed to the journey will be full of adventure.

It's not the best news for you, but you need to be lucky enough to catch this moment Latvia is not Siberia and the winter here often means more rains than snow. On the photos above, it's the Eastern Latvia. As about Riga and its districts, it's a sea/waters region and temperatures here are higher, snow is rare.


Each journey is adventurous, if you are adventurous on your own