The Sierra Nevada mountain range in southern Spain is one of the highest resorts in Europe and offers excellent doorstep skiing at great prices.

Around 400 snow canons ensure that the region has a good covering of snow all through the winter.

Sierra Nevada

With around 40 miles of ski slopes, the Sierra Nevada has 5 black runs, 18 red runs, 18 blue runs and 4 green runs which are served by 24 ski lifts and is very good for expert skiers, intermediate skiers and beginners. 

The views across to the Mediterranean and across the Moroccan mountains from the top of the Veleta are spectacular.

Situated close to the city of Granada (about 30 minutes away) and slighty further away from Malaga and Almeria, the range has been declared a biosphere reserve with parts of the range included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Sierra Nevada is just 2 hours from the Costa del Sol.

The Sierra Nevada consists of two main areas, Borreguiles where you will

Veleta

 find ski schools, cable car stations and ski lifts, and the village of Pradollano with hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops. The resort town itself consists of just hotels and apartments but as you ascend the mountainside you will find lots of top class hotels, great tapas bars, fantastic nightlife, discos and shops.

Apart from skiing the resort offers snow boarding, sleigh rides, dog sledding, snow mobiling, snow biking, ice skating and lovely winter walks. You can also enjoy some night skiing on the El Rio slope.

There are lots of bargain holidays to Spain available throughout the internet.

Look out for great Sierra Nevada ski last minute holidays for the whole family to enjoy.

After Switzerland, Spain is Europe’s most mountainous country.

Sierra Nevada

The best Spanish ski resorts are in the Pyrenees, whilst further south, above Granada in Andalucia, is the Sierra Nevada which in spite of its sunny climate has hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships.

The main ski destinations in Spain are

In the Catalan Pyrenees – Baqueira-Beret, Boí-Taüll and La Molina.

Baqueira-Beret is Spain’s largest and most popular ski resort.  It is located 200 km from Barcelona and 160 km from Toulouse in France.
The Boi Taull ski resort is set deep in the heart of the Boi Valley, next to Aigüestortes National Park.
La Molina is a day trip from Barcelona and is Spain’s oldest ski resort.
Masella is the neighbouring resort of La Molina and a popular day trip destination from Barcelona.

In the Aragon Pyrenees – Astún, Candanchu, Cerler, Formigal and Panticosa.

Astún is set in the beautiful valley of Aragon, 80km from the French town of Pau.
Candanchu has a reputation for hard skiing.  It is located 385km from Barcelona which is the nearest international airport.
Cerler is a very small resort, located 230km from Zaragoza.
Formigal is a quiet resort, popular with the under 30′s.
Panticosa is a quiet,friendly resort, located 170km from Zaragoza.

In Andorra – Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter and Pal.

Andorra

Pas de La Casa takes ones side of the mountain and Grau Roig (pronounced ‘grau rosh’) the other.
Soldeu is part of the large ski domaine of Grandvalira.
El Tarter has the more traditional tree-lined runs.

In Andalucia – the Sierra Nevada above Granada.

The Sierra Nevada is Europe’s most southerly ski resort,  located above the beautiful city of Granada, offering some spectacular runs with views as far as the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Other ski destinations are

North of Madrid – La Pinilla, Navacerrada, Valcotos and Valdesquí
Further North – La Rioja in Valdezcaray, Alto Campoo in Cantabria and San Isidro in León.