The ski season in the Sierra Nevada starts as early as November. Beautiful views, perfectly groomed slopes, luxury hotels, excellent restaurants – get ready for an unforgettable white madness in Andalusia!
The season on the Costa del Sol lasts all year round. In summer you can bask on the beach and relax in exclusive beach clubs or aquaparks. Golf or tennis in Marbella can even be played in winter, while most clubs in Europe are closed. And for those who want to ski, head to the Sierra Nevada.
How to get to Sierra Nevada
Anyone who has ever visited the Sierra Nevada will confirm that they are some of the most beautiful mountains in Spain. They are located in Andalusia, in the province of Granada. It is a unique region in terms of both nature and recreation, and one of the most important destinations for winter sports enthusiasts in Europe. It is also the most southerly ski resort in Europe.
It is close to the Mediterranean coast, and on a clear day you can enjoy views of the African coastline. Despite its southern location, the ski season there runs from November to April, and thanks to modern snowmaking systems, you can enjoy well-groomed slopes throughout the season. Even though the Sierra Nevada is located in the south of Spain, the height of the mountains (the highest peak, Mulhacén, is 3,479 metres above sea level) and the suitable climatic conditions guarantee perfect snow for most of the season. The region has a dry climate with plenty of sunny days, which means that skiers can enjoy skiing in the sunshine while enjoying well-maintained slopes.
Sierra Nevada is a ski resort that is sure to delight. Located just 30 minutes from Granada, it is in the heart of the Sierra Nevada National Park. This area of more than 80,000 hectares includes Mulhacén, the highest peak on the Iberian Peninsula (3482 metres above sea level), and Veleta, the third highest (3392 metres above sea level). This picturesque place is characterised by a diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the richest natural areas in Spain. Thanks to its impressive mountains, rivers and streams, skiing enthusiasts from all over Europe come here to enjoy 110 kilometres of pistes spread over 131 slopes, with an altitude difference of up to 1,200 metres. It is no wonder that around one million tourists visit the place every year.
Drop by Pradollano
Pradollano, located near the ski resort, offers all the services you need at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres above sea level. Here you will find accommodation, restaurants, equipment rentals and heated pools – everything you need to make the most of your winter holiday. Lying within the municipality of Monachil, the resort enjoys an excellent location, close to the high mountains and the Costa Tropical.
If you live in Marbella or are renting houses in the area for your holiday in Spain, you’ll get there in about 2.5 hours by car. It’s even worth a day trip – from the piste you drive straight into the Pradollano underground car park, from where you take the lift up to the ticket offices and then straight onto the lift! If you feel like skiing while you are lying on the beach, you can go straight to Pradollano, where you can easily hire the necessary equipment and complete ski suits.
Take a break from skiing to visit Granada, one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. One of the great advantages of the Sierra Nevada is its location just 30 minutes’ drive from this historic city, known for its monuments such as the Alhambra district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the perfect combination of sport and the opportunity to explore one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. Skiers can spend the day on the slopes and in the evening head to Granada to sample tapas or visit the Alhambra.
Conditions and infrastructure
The Sierra Nevada resort is very popular for its beautiful views, superbly groomed, snow-covered slopes, varied pistes and renowned hotels. The highest slopes start from the top of Veleta (at 3282m), from where, if the weather is good, we can see the African coast! And there is no shortage of sunshine – after all, we are in the south, high up in the mountains, so it is worth stocking up on sunscreen so that you don’t suffer from sunburn later on, despite the mountainous weather.
The centrepiece of the resort is Borreguiles, from where gondolas and chairlifts run. There are more than 110 km of pistes to choose from, from green for beginners to black, such as Visera – for adrenaline lovers. There are 5 T-bar and disc lifts, 14 chairlifts and 2 gondola lifts running up the mountain.
The Sierra Nevada ski resort offers ski runs suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. There are wide, gentle slopes for novices as well as more challenging, technical runs for experienced skiers. The resort also has a snowpark for snowboarding and freestyle fans, as well as several night runs that are lit up in the evenings for a unique skiing experience after dark.
There is no shortage of equipment rentals, ski schools, shops and restaurants or bars, making for a comfortable and well-organised stay. Sierra Nevada is also a great choice for families with children. There are special zones and programmes for the little ones, where children can learn to ski under the guidance of professional instructors in a safe environment. There are also various winter activities organised for the whole family.
Snowboarders and freestyle skiers can look forward to plenty of excitement at the Sulayr Superpark in the Loma de Dilar area. Beginners and seasoned snowboarders, who have been practising extreme sports for a long time, practice there. The technical condition of the slopes and facilities is checked daily to guarantee maximum safety for users.
Pradollano offers many hotel places or private flats. We can choose between the hotels El Lodge, Vincci Selección Rumaykiyya, Melia Sierra Nevada or Melia Sol Y Nieve, as well as plenty of private accommodation. We can eat in the small bars and buffets along the trails or by lounging on the terrace of The Sun Deck at the El Lodge hotel, where we can enjoy a delicious racklette or cheese fondue. We also recommend the restaurants: Tito Tapas, El Fondue de Noa, Pizzeria Tito Luigi, La Muralla, Little Morgan.
An interesting attraction in the Sierra Nevada is the high-mountain astronomical observatory – located at Loma de Dílar. Its facilities include two Nasmyth optical telescopes of 1.50m and 0.90m. The facility is open to the public (guided tours only) in July and August – if weather conditions are favourable. During the rest of the year, access to the building is hampered by surrounding snow.
Sierra Nevada: this is worth knowing
Ski pass prices in the Sierra Nevada vary – depending on the season and the number of days you intend to enjoy the local attractions. For example:
- A day pass for an adult costs around €50-60.
- Multi-day passes, such as a three-day pass, cost around €150-170.
There are also discounts for children, seniors and groups, as well as special prices at the beginning and end of the season, when conditions can be less stable.
The Sierra Nevada offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to flats to mountain huts. Accommodation prices vary depending on the standard and season, but you can find accommodation for between €50 and €200 per night. It’s worth booking in advance, especially for the festive season and winter holidays. The cost of renting a set of ski equipment (skis, boots, poles) is usually €20-40 per day, depending on the quality of the equipment and where it is rented.
The Sierra Nevada is about a 1.5-hour drive from Málaga, which can be reached by plane from many European cities. Renting a car in Málaga is a popular option, with rental prices starting from €20-30 per day. You can also get from Granada by public transport.
Contact with nature
In the Sierra Nevada National Park you will find more than 15 peaks exceeding 3,000 metres, including Mulhacén, the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula. From the numerous rivers, streams and springs, a rich vegetation forms, from grasslands at lower elevations to oak and pine trees at higher elevations. At even higher altitudes, where harsh weather conditions prevail, only shrubs and scrubs grow. The National Park is home to many species of animals, such as goats, wild boar, badgers and venets, as well as birds, including eagles and vultures, and rare insects.
The park offers numerous hiking and cycling trails of varying levels of difficulty. There are as many as 25 trails for hiking and 13 for cycling. It is important to choose a route that suits your ability, taking into account differences in altitude and distance. The best way to get around the park is by car, which allows easy access to the villages located in and around the park. You cannot leave the region without visiting La Alpujarra, where the harsh mountain conditions have long shaped the lives of the inhabitants. Beautiful gorge villages, such as those above Barranco del Poqueira, offer breathtaking views.
