Europe’s most southerly ski resort is located some distance from the rest of Spain’s well-known ski areas in the Pyrenees.
It stands alone on a massive mountain towering above the Mediterranean coast and the ancient city of Granada. Home to Spain’s highest slope, a former alpine skiing world championships host and with views across to the north coast of Africa from the top of the slopes, this is a special place.
Take The Long Run
The Eagle slope is the longest of Sierra Nevada’s 131 runs at 6.253km.
Sail the Med
This is one of the few ski areas where you can spend half the day swimming in (fairly) warm seas and half on the snow slopes. It’s about an hour down the mountain to the beach, but you can also book a half-day excursion on a catamaran if you want to really, er, push the boat out.
Hit the Park
The Superpark Sulayr is a big attraction in more ways than one with 60 modules and beginner, difficult and expert-rated lines. It incorporates a snow cross circuit and 165m superpipe and is accessed by the Loma de Dílar and Monachil chairlifts.
Eat at La Bodeguita
There’s strong competition between restaurants in Sierra Nevada, but for a tradition Spanish establishment, high-value prices, good service and even veggie options, La Bodeguita tops the reviews.
Earn Your Turns
There are two mountain ski itinerary routers for tourers: one on the El Aguila track in the Cauchiles area and another that runs along the K12 route, from the summit of Veleta to Pradollano, if you want to make your own way up.
Visit the Alhambra
The Alhambra is a remarkable palace and fortress complex begun in 1238 and located in Granada, 31km away below Sierra Nevada. A year-round attraction, it’s hard to get tickets and there are long queues in the summer if you do, but midwinter it’s much quieter.
For Families
The Fuente del Mirlo Blanco park, located at the end of the El Río track, is the epicentre of fun, located close to the Pradollano area.
Try the Tapas
Granada is a university city, and hundreds, sometimes thousands, of students fill Sierra Nevada to have fun on the slopes, especially at the weekends. Bars do battle to grab the most student customers by offering free tapas with each drink bought, and word soon gets around who is offering the most each night; just look for the busiest bar.
