Sierra Nevada, Spain

Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in Andalucia in southern Spain and Europe's most southern ski resort. The ski resort is located next to the highest peak of the mountain: Pico del Veleta, 3,398 meters above sea level. The ski resort of Sierra Nevada is located at approximately 2,100 meters.

The combination of high altitude, proximity to the Atlantic Sea and the geographical location gives you a good chance to get a sunny ski holiday with lots of snow. The ski resort was built in the 1960’s and 70’s and it well-designed for skiers.

Here you will find everything you need for an exciting ski trip. Still quite few foreigners visit Sierra Nevada, which is a shame as it leaves much to discover. It is indeed an exciting place to visit on as a ski holiday. It caters to most skiers and Spain is currently cheap for most foreign visitors.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada

The ski season runs from December to April. Since the ski areas are located at a rather high altitude, there is usually plenty of snow throughout the winter. Worth knowing is also that one of the most modern snow cannon systems in Europe is found in Sierra Nevada.
In Sierra Nevada there are 18 green runs, 40 blue, 50 red and 8 black runs. Thirty modern lifts will take you around the system. In short - something to suit most skiers. There are good opportunities for off-piste skiing with access via the lift system and the area is known for a relatively low risk of avalanches.

The ski area is divided into several areas. The largest areas are Area Borreguiles, Area Cahuchiles - Parador, Area Laguna Las Yeguas and Area Loma de Dílar.

There is a large snow park, the Super Park Sulay, where you can have a go at the challenging half-pipe, the big jumps and the rails, adapted to both skiers and snowboarders. Here you will find Spain's biggest half-pipe, which is 6 times 165 meters. It is very well maintained and well prepared.

Travelling with family or friends – suits both

The Sierra suits most types of travellers. Here you will find, for example, babysitting from four months of age, full or half-day, so that even families with young children can go skiing together. They also offer a combined ski school and kindergarten for children aged three to six.
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If you feel like relaxing in a luxury spa, it’s definitely worth paying a visit to YHI SPA, Meliá Sol y Nieve , which offers all kinds of massages and other treatments. There is also a sports center, Montebajo Sports Club where you can work out in the gym or enjoy the pool, the jacuzzi and sauna.

Sierra Nevada has excellent after ski as well as several bars to hang out in later at night. Bear in mind that Spanish people dine late and stay out late. 9 PM is the average dinner time and 11 PM is a normal time for hitting the bar street.

If you feel like resting for a day or just doing something else than skiing, there are plenty of activities to choose from, such as tobogganing, cinema and shops to stroll around in. Taking day trips is also possible. Alhambra is close and you just can’t miss out on paying a visit!

Getting to Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada is located in Andalusia in southern Spain. It is one of few ski resorts in the world where you can have a swim before lunch and go skiing after lunch. It is only 30 kilometers from Granada and about 170 kilometers from Malaga. There are several coaches that run to Sierra Nevada from Granada, but also from other major cities like Madrid.

The nearest airport is Federico García Lorca Granada - Jaén (about 50 kilometers) but Malaga or possibly Seville is probably more convenvient for most, 140 kilometers and 260 kilometers respectively. It is very convenient to rent a car at the airport and drive up to the ski resort.

If you want to travel by train, you can get off the train at Granada and continue by bus.