A really wonderful trip to make from the Axarquia ! We have been coming here regularly for over 15 years  and in winter time we always wanted to go to the Sierra Nevada for skiing. Until now we have made trips to the cultural cities of Granada, Seville, Ronda, Córdoba and Málaga, but, now travelling was more do able again we have finally made the skiing trip and it was a great experience!

The ski area is located in the Penibético mountain range in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park approximately 30 km from Granada city. It's a great modern ski resort, although not huge, it has more than 120 km of slopes, and has everything you need. There are several good lifts, the slopes are well maintained and are of excellent quality. With the help of snow cannons you can ski from November to late April. On Saturdays it is even possible to ski at night.

We made the trip from Canillas de Aceituno in early January, it was a relaxing two hour drive  o reach the Sierra Nevada on a relatively  new road with little traffic! The first part of the journey, after coming down from our own mountain, is on the AP7 along the coast passing the coastal resorts of Torre del Mar, Algorrobo, Torrox  and Nerja. At Motril you take the turning towards Granada. This motorway (A44) takes you through a beautiful mountainous landscape and on the way pass inga couple of waterreservoirs. On  approaching Granada you turn off to drive into the mountains on a good two-lane road towards the Sierra Nevada (A395). It's a nice climb up to the resort with fantastic views along the way! Tip: Its obligatory to carry snow chains, these can be bought at a gas station before driving up.

Once there you have many possibilities to park your car in the ski village called Pradollano. We parked the car in a large underground car park and were just in front of our hotel (Hotel Telecabina). It is a cozy village with many restaurants, bars and the shops where you can buy or rent all the necessary skiing equipment. There are several ski schools all within walking distance. At the village square you can buy daily or weekly ski passes but many hotels can also arrange this  for you.

From the village you can take the ski lift up to wonderful wide, groomed slopes. The elevators go up to 3400 meters. Once at the top you almost forget to ski because the views  are so overwhelming and include the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Granada and the top of the highest mountain in the Axarquia, La Maroma located in the Sierra Tejada range (2,100 meters).

Sierra Nevada Ski Resort is certainly comparable to the ski resorts in Austria or Switzerland. The slopes are nice and wide, well marked and the degree of difficulty is clear,  there are green, blue, red and black runs. For snowboarders and free-stylers they have even constructed a large separate super freestyle park with a half pipe and 70 freestyle obstacles. Snow cannons are abundant and ensure that the slopes are always sufficiently covered with snow, even when there has been no recent snowfall. On and around the slopes you'll find various restaurants with a good selection of dining options .

The area is not known for its exuberant après ski scene, however, at the end of a wonderful day on the slopes there are plenty of nice bars and restaurants with sunny terraces where you can share and exchange your experiences on the slopes with your friends while enjoying some tapas, beer, wine or soda.

There are  accommodation options of all price ranges in the village for long or short ski breaks. Holidaying in the winter months in the Axarquia one can go skiing for one or two days in the  Sierra Nevada. and the next day be sunbathing on the beach by the mediteranean sea, that's quite a special combination for your vacation: one day you can enjoy the snow in the mountains the next day  the sand of the beach!

We wish you lots of skiing fun!
un Saludo Deportivo
Jan and Marita

The facts about the Sierra Nevada ski resort at a glance:

Highest point		3300 m
Lowest point		2100 m
Total km of slopes		121 km
Easy (green)	12%	14 km
Beginners (Blue)	41%	50 km
Medium (red)	49%	49 km
Difficult (Black)	8%	8 km
Gondola lifts		2
Chairlifts		15
Surface Lifts		3

 

The ski season runs from December to late April. For more information about the region, accommodations, etc: www.sierranevada.es