It’s finally ski season again in the Sierra Nevada, so that means it’s time to think about ski season and book that ski holiday! I’m suddenly thinking of thermals, not bikinis!
It is one of the only resorts worldwide where you can be on the slopes skiing in the morning, then sunning yourself on the beach in the afternoon, and the best thing of all, it is virtually on our doorstep. With the new toll road, it is under a 2-hour journey from Marbella.
The ski resort of Sierra Nevada defies all concepts associated with skiing. Located barely a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean coast, it has practically guaranteed sunshine and the best spring snow conditions in Europe and is still reasonably priced compared to many of its European counterparts.
As one of Europe’s highest resorts, it is (perhaps surprisingly) very snowy and typically has a long season. Traditionally, the season starts now and runs through the end of April or even into the first week of May, like it did last season. The longest season on record was the winter of 2008/09, which ran from November 15th, 2008, until May 17th, 2009.
Sierra Nevada means “Snowy Mountain Range,” and it includes some of the highest peaks in Europe, not to mention the highest concentration of peaks over 3,00m in the country. The Mulhacen, at 3,482 m, is the Iberian Peninsula’s highest. This beats many worldwide ski resorts, some of which peak at just 1800m.
The ski terrain is majestically overlooked by the jagged glacier-formed Veleta peak, at 3,398m, Spain’s third highest after Aneto (3,404m) in the Pyrenees. The Sierra Nevada ski resort offers its visitors a wide and ever-expanding range of facilities as well as ski terrain to suit skiers and boarders of all standards. Much of this is due to the resort organizers working extremely hard at preparing the runs every night. An important factor, which very few resorts can boast, is that you are practically guaranteed sunshine throughout your stay! Being so far south, the climate is superb for brushing up on the deepest ski tan you are likely to get anywhere! Visitors are consistently stunned at how the snow lasts during the typically deep-blue-skied and sun-blazoned days.
Last season saw the opening of the Marbella Club’s “El Lodge,” in which it is virtually impossible to get a reservation; however, whittling away a few hours on the terrace with a drink in hand is most desirable. The Melia Hotels in the town center are great if there is a group of you; however, my favorite hotel up there is the Vincci Hotel, which has the most amazing restaurant. Even if you aren’t staying in the hotel, you can eat there. There is a huge array of private apartments for rent, which is very handy for families.
Anyhow, I must stop typing, dust off my ski, and start looking at some online deals!
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