Spain is not a country readily associated with snow sports, however there are some excellent resorts on offer with Sierra Nevada being at the top of the list. Over the years, the resort has earned a reputation for offering a varied and challenging ski experience hosting a number of high profile World cup and Championship events. Considered Spain’s premiere ski resort, Sierra Nevada also holds the title of being the most southerly ski resort in the whole of Europe and with skiing above 3,300 metres Sierra Nevada is definitely an alternative experience to the traditional Alpine resorts of France, Austria and Italy.

The Skiing

The Sierra Nevada ski station is perched high atop the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which towers a mighty 3,398m above sea level with the resort base sitting at a lofty 2,100m. This paves the way for a long season that regularly stretches through till the end of May. Best suited for beginners and intermediates, Sierra Nevada’s ski area has been designed in the form of some American resorts with long wide trails and a healthy vertical drop of over 1,200 metres that allows skiers the pleasure of skiing from the mountains summit at 3,300m to the base station at 2,100m completely uninterrupted. Beginners visiting Sierra Nevada will be pleased with the excellent nursery slopes located at Borreguiles ski station, the heart of the resort, where four different chair lifts rise up the mountain stretching in different directions. For intermediate and advanced skier’s the ski area’s highlights are undoubtedly the course which were those used in the World Alpine Ski Championships of 1996. Keen and advanced skiers can test their metal in the Monachill ski area and sample one of Spain’s toughest runs down the steep descent from Valeta II to Borreguilles.

The Snowfall

Due to its location high up in the Penibetic Mountain range in Andalucia, Sierre Nevada endeavours to offer the best of both worlds- sunshine and snow. Remember to bring your suntan lotion because this is officially the sunniest resort in Europe and on a clear day you can expect to see down to Spain’s cultural city Granada and sometimes even as far as the Moroccan coast. If you’re worried about the sun affecting the snow conditions then don’t - Sierra Nevada has invested heavily in a state of the art of snow-making system and at over 3,000m the snowfall is no problem with a thick blanket of snow blanketing the resort often to be found on these high altitude slopes.

Off the Slopes

Compact in nature and typically Spanish, the centre of Sierra Nevada is arranged in an upper and lower square. The upper square is surrounded by many restaurants, bars and shops and is the welcome point when you first arrive in Sierra Nevada. The lower square features a large number of ski and clothing shops along with many apres ski activities, the medical centre and the main ski lift. One of the highlights off the slopes when visiting Sierra Nevada is “Mirlo Blanco”- a purpose built action-park with a variety of exciting activities to distract you from the skiing for a little while. Featured in the park is a tubing run, ski bikes slalom, sledging and a 2 man rollercoaster all of which are included on a single, timed pass.

Granada Stop-over

Ski Adaptable can offer the unique chance to have a 1 night stopover in the stunning city of Granda, just 30 minutes from Sierra Nevada.  This beautiful, traditional Andalucian city, home to the world famous Alhambra Palace, is a must-visit if you are in the area,  Why not add a night to your trip and explore this stunning city with your students.  Enquire for more information.