SKIING
Spain isn't most people's first choice when it comes to skiing. But with ski resorts in five distinct regions of the country, skiing in Spain is hot stuff. Well, not literally.
For high class skiing in Spain, you can't beat the Pyrenees, with ski resorts all along the border with France, while for the sheer novelty of skiing in the south of Spain and being able to go to the beach on the same day, the Sierra Nevada is perfect. There are also ski resorts near Madrid, in the north-west of Spain (in Galicia, Leon and Cantabria), La Rioja and Teruel.
Pyrenees
There are numerous ski resorts in the Pyrenees, stretching all the way along the French border in Catalonia, Aragon and Andorra.
Sierra Nevada
Pradollano is the name of the ski resort in the Sierra Nevada near Granada, though most people refer to it as the 'Sierra Nevada ski resort'. Spain's number one location for winter sports, the Sierra Nevada is located just two hours away from the Costa del Sol. Located above Granada, it has the best snow and the longest season in the country. One can look forward to five months of snow. Sierra Nevada has 61km of ski slopes with 45 pistes and 6 off-piste routes. There are 2 cable cars, 12 chair lifts and 5 ski lifts. The ski resort is open from 9am to 5pm although you can ski at night at weekends and bank holidays. Night skiing was introduced in 1994 with lighting along the El Rio slope (3km/545 vertical drop).
If you have never been to Sierra Nevada because you haven't got the essential gear, then that's no longer a valid excuse for everything you need can be hired on a daily basis. If your excuse is that you can't ski then forget that too for there is no shortage of schools that will assist everyone from beginners to experts. Because the area has such a pulsating nightlife, the slopes tend to be less crowded between 9am and 11am and between 1pm and 3pm, presumably the time when the skiers are sleeping off the effects of the night before.
Over recent years the resort has turned to technology to extend the season by investing in artificial snow machines and now the resort has 16 of them that generate snow round the clock. The resort has the best groomed snow in Europe. With the resort being just 30 minutes away from the city of Granada, nowhere else in the world can you be playing golf in the sun then within such a short time, be skiing or snow-boarding at a top resort.
Snowboarding
The sport has gained in popularity and the resort, which provides its fans with ideal conditions, is working to promote this new discipline. An on-slope half pipe is being built for surfers, this will be available depending on snow conditions. Specialised snowboarding shops and schools are also available in the resort. In addition to alpine skiing and snowboarding, Sierra Nevada offers many other winter sports including cross-country skiing, artistic skiing (ballet, jumps, moguls), telemark skiing, trekking and adventure skiing.
Its also the place to be seen, even if you don't ski. There's a reputation attached to the resort - its a cool place to be seen and you have to have the most trendy of gear.
Near Madrid
There are now three ski resorts near Madrid after Valcotos closed down - Navacerrada, Valdesqui and La Pinilla - as well as an indoor ski center a bit closer to the city.
The ski slopes outside Madrid, however, while less advanced, can be reached easily in less than an hour through public transportation, by car, or by regular buses operated by ski clubs such as Club Amistad. A day of skiiing is an easy day trip from Madrid in season, and gear can easily be rented for those traveling without their own.
kiiing also can now be found in Spain in theSkiiing in Spain. The Xanadu shopping mall southwest of Madrid offers an indoor slope -- basically a beginner ski slope, although with a jump or two built in -- throughout the year. Equipment, including warm clothing, can be rented at the slope.
Aragon
There are two cheap and cheerful resorts with limited resorts in Teruel - Javalambre and Valdelinares.
Cantabria, Galicia & Leon
There are three ski resorts in the north-west of Spain - one in Galicia, one in Cantabria and one in Leon.
aca (Huesca)
La Rioja
Valdezcaray is the ski resort in La Rioja, in the north-east of Spain.
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