Located in the Granada province, the Sierra Nevada is part of Spain's Penibético Mountain Range, and a very easy to reach destination for those keen on winter sport, for the slopes of the Sierra Nevada are only 1.5 hours' drive from the Costa del Sol and a short distance from the City of Granada.
Extended Winter Sport Season
Peaks reach an average altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level here, but ski lifts actually go up to 3,282 meter altitudes. There are 6 ski areas: Valeta, Laguna de las Yeguas, Borreguiles, Loma Dilar and Parador y Rio. In total, these resorts boast 30 ski lifts, of which 2 are gondolas, 15 are chairlifts, 5 are surface lifts and 8 are magic carpets. With a combined ski area of 94.8 km, the Sierra Nevada offers winter sports enthusiasts 103 pistes to practice on - 16 green, 35 blue, 43 red and 9 black. Families not wanting to ski the whole time can look forward to visits in the Snowpark and Activity Area at Mirlo Blanco
With a ski season that runs on average from December to April, the Sierra Nevada ski areas boast a wide range of hotels and self-catering holiday apartments. It's a very affordable area for winter sports fans: start-of-season day passes cost as little as 20.00 euros for adults and 15.00 euros for kids. Boot and low-cost ski rental can be obtained for as little as 10.00 euros per day (Borreguiles prices).
This year the season begins officially on 28th November and snowfall has already been heavy. The resort of Borreguiles has decreed that parking shall remain free until 2nd December to entice more people onto the slopes this year. Skiers who own an apartment in the Sierra Nevada ski resorts, will often return at the very end of the season in early May, when the famous "bajador en bikini" takes place and a mob of fun-loving skiers take the slopes in their swimsuits and bikinis to mark the end of the snowy season.
Overnight Accommodation for all Budgets
Resort hotels include the HG Maribel, which is adjacent to the Maribel piste, and the Plaza Sierra Nevada, Hotel Ziryap and Hotel Telecabina Montana. Self-catering apartments, for those who do not own their own little bolt-hole in the Sierra Nevada's ski resorts, are great value for money here. The Apartamentos Galatino Sierra Nevada for example are well-appointed and spacious and get regularly good reviews on travel sites, as do the Hotel Apartamentos Trevenque, which overlook lovely landscaped gardens. At budget-friendly Apartamentos Boabdil winter sports fans are even offered secure free parking with their overnight stay
Ski slopes are located at altitudes of 3,300, 1,198 and 2,102 meters and cross-country skiers can look forward to 8 km of trails. The slopes are roughly 49% beginner, 40% intermediate and 11% advanced oriented, a good mix that offers something for everybody.
The nearest train station is in Granada, from where it's easy to hire a car and drive to the slopes, if one doesn't want to tackle the longer drive from one's holiday home in Marbella, Malaga or Torremolinos. Off-piste, there is a good smattering of vibrant bars and restaurants for a cheerful nightlife.
Sierra Nevada Property
Property prices in the Sierra Nevada are surprisingly low, given that the slopes are a mere 1.5 hour drive from the coast and an even shorter distance from the City of Granada. A second-hand studio for example, situated just 50 metres from the chairlifts might cost as little as 85.000 euros, yet it's large enough to sleep 3-4 people and comes fully furnished into the bargain.
One-bedroom apartments cost between 95,000 euros and 145,000 euros on average, which includes a fully equipped kitchen, a furniture pack and parking space. There are still plenty of bargains to be had in excellent Spanish holiday resort locations, especially for those prepared to think outside the tourism box. Instead of buying at the beach, why not buy a holiday apartment in the Sierra Nevada?
For 127,000 euros buyers can get their hands on 3-bedroom apartments with a floor space of 65 square metres. Within a few steps of the resort square and ski lift, such holiday apartments represent excellent value for money. Are you going to be on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada this season?