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Of the many towns and villages, Pradollano is the main resort centre feeding the Sierra Nevada slopes and has good facilities, including first-aid, a bank, pharmacy, ski shops and conference facilities. However, those wanting a bit more culture may prefer to stay in the university town of Granada itself. Three kindergartens offer childcare for children ages three months to four years.

Sierra Nevada has 67kms of wide-open slopes above the tree-line, with the largest variety in the intermediate range. Experts have some excellent and challenging off-piste runs and snowboarders can enjoy a park with half-pipe. Two gondolas, 13 chairlifts, five surface lifts plus beginner lifts, supply the pistes (the longest of which is 5.9kms) and have an hourly uplift capacity for 42,000 skiers.

Of the villages in the Sierra Nevada area, Pradollano has the bulk of the accommodation, with a range of luxury hotel/resorts to cheaper hostels and Alpine-style self-catering apartments. Pradollano has commendable facilities, with a selection of shops and a bank, while Granada is an international city and has everything you could want.

The ski season at Sierra Nevada runs from December to May and the most convenient means for getting here is to fly to Malaga and hire a car, or take a bus to Granada, and then the Skibus from there to the resort villages.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada

Located in Europe’s southernmost mountain range, Sierra Nevada ski resort offers 67kms of fantastic skiing with views of snow-covered peaks and the stunning Mediterranean coastline. The resort is also easily accessed and has a long ski season.

Sierra Nevada is an intermediate and advanced ski and snowboard paradise, with much of the terrain suited to this level; the longest run is 5.9kms. There are eight beginner runs, 24 intermediate, 34 advanced and four expert runs, as well as expert off-piste. Twenty-two lifts provide access for up to 42,000 people per hour. Additionally, there are two cross-country trails.

Snowboarders are looked after with a park and half-pipe and other non-ski activities and facilities include: ice-skating, tobogganing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and paragliding. Indoors, there is a fitness centre, swimming pool, sauna, squash and tennis. There are restaurants on and off the mountain and après-ski is lively, with several bars and two discos.

The December to May ski season at Sierra Nevada ski resort has its best snow conditions from early February to mid-March. The most practical travel option for getting to Sierra Nevada is to fly to Malaga and take a bus, via Granada.

Après-ski in Sierra Nevada

Theres a good range of accommodation in Sierra Nevada’s Pradollano resort, with thousands of beds offered in 14 hotels (two- to four-star) and self-catering family apartments. There is also plenty of accommodation in other nearby villages and in Granada.

Restaurants on and off the mountain provide drinks, fast-food and à la carte meals, and the après-ski is lively, with several music bars and discos.

Away from the slopes, Granada is a must-see with its gorgeous setting overlooking the Sierra Nevada and the great Moorish pleasure palace - the Alhambra. Other major sites include the Albaicín and the Sacromonte. The Alpujarras region, on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, is noted for its ancient villages. The Costa del Sol offers endless beaches, with those of Nerja and Almunecar being the closest

Transportation in Sierra Nevada

Located in the south of Spain between Granada and the Mediterranean, Sierra Nevada ski resort is the southernmost resort in Europe and is directly accessible by road only. The easiest options for getting here is to fly to Malaga and transfer by hire car, or take a bus, via Granada; while rail travel to Granada is straightforward and self-drive is long.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains are about 500kms from Madrid and 2,000kms from Paris, along major tolled autoroutes and autostrades. If coming from the UK and Calais, the best route goes via Paris, Tours, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Burgos, Madrid and Granada. From there, take the E-902 (south) and follow the signs to the resorts (2,050kms and a two-day journey).

Alternatively, you could take the Montpellier/Barcelona route and head along the A-7/E-15 highway, or take the car ferry to Bilbao from Portsmouth, and drive from there.

By train, Madrid is connected with Paris via Chamartin station (north Madrid), and Paris is connected with London via Eurostar trains throughout the day from Waterloo station. From Madrid’s southern station of Atocha, there are two trains daily to Granada and a night train. Buses run from there to Sierra Nevada.

The nearest international airport is Granada International Airport, but Malaga International Airport has far more flight options. Malaga is connected with Granada by bus, 15 times a day (a two-hour journey). There is a daily bus from Granada to Sierra Nevada at 09:00, returning at 17:00.

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