If you want to go skiing, admire the centuries-old buildings of ancient cities and visit the sea beaches at the same time, then there is simply no better place than the Sierra Nevada (Spain). This is a unique area in Andalusia, where a powerful mountain range rushes its peaks to the sky, and only 30 kilometers away the Mediterranean Sea rustles with waves. The Sierra Nevada ski resort is the southernmost in all of Europe, the sun always shines here, and the air temperature during the day, even in winter, does not drop below +2 degrees.
Territorial location and attractions
The resort is in a very convenient location, just forty minutes from Granada and an hour and a half from Malaga. A little further stretched ancient Cordoba with its architectural monuments and Seville, known for its flamenco shows. Although it is unlikely that you will want to leave the Sierra Nevada resort for a long time for city tours. The mountains are what matters here!
First-class ski slopes await those who dare to conquer them. And tourists who are fond of hiking rush to the Mulasen peak, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees. If you come to this picturesque mountainarea in the summer, you won’t be bored either: you can wander through the gorges, hills, banks of rapids, arrange a bike trip or visit local villages, and also take pictures of ibexes (goats with big horns).
Ski resort
The Sierra Nevada is located at an altitude of 2.1 thousand meters above sea level. The season here lasts from November to April, and not only advanced riders come to ski and snowboard, but also those who have only recently discovered this activity, as well as families with children. The resort has gained great popularity due to well-planned tracks, which have repeatedly become the venue for various international competitions, and well-thought-out infrastructure. By the way, in 2017 Sierra Nevada (Spain) will host the world championship in snowboarding and freestyle.
SKI
Of course, the scale of this resort cannot be compared with the giants of the Alps. There are only six ski areas and fifty-four pistes, with a total length of 62 kilometers, of which 18 are red and blue pistes, 5 black and 4 green. Altitude drops reach somewhere around 1200 meters.
At the peak of Veleta (the second highest mountain in the area), the longest - six-kilometer - El Aguila trail begins, and it ends in Pradollano - the center of the Sierra Nevada resort. The mountains here are different in height, which makes it possible to provide ski areas for both professionals and beginners, and even for kids (experienced trainers work in the Dream Land zone to help teach a child to ski). Beginning athletes can also sign up for a course (group or individual) of ski training and be trained with Russian-speaking instructors.
Connoisseurs have the opportunity to appreciate the local snowpark, La Visera mogul track, Acropark equipped with a parallel slalom track, half-pipe. The slopes of El Rio have two illuminated pistes, 1100 and 3300 meters long, which will certainly appeal to those who like to ski in the evening (the pistes are illuminated in January and February from 19.00 to 21.30).
APRES-SKI
After skiing, the Sierra Nevada offers to visit infrastructure facilities. Here you will find 45 restaurants and bars, nightclubs, entertainment centers, discos, shops. Also on the territory of the resort there is a skating rink and a sports club with a Turkish bath and a swimming pool. Among other things, the Sierra Nevada provides those who wish the opportunity to ride rubber "cheesecakes", cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and even hang-gliding (in the spring).
Pradogliano
This is the center of the resort, framed by majestic snowy peaks, here is also a ski village. There are several ski schools in Pradogliano, which have sports equipment rentals. For the youngest skiers there is a kindergarten. The place abounds with hotels, clubs and shops. In the evening, all the buildings are illuminated with bright illumination, people go out for a walk on the snow-covered streets, from time to time dropping into tapas bars to have a bite to eat and warm up.
NationalSierra Nevada Park
When you come to a ski resort, be sure to visit this nature reserve. It covers an area of 86 thousand hectares and is the largest national park in Spain, containing the most impressive landscapes of the country with rivers, green hills, mountain peaks and gorges. Up to 2 thousand species of plants grow on the territory, some of which are threatened with extinction, so the Spaniards jealously protect them. The fauna of the national park is also unique: about 120 species of butterflies, over 60 species of birds, mountain goats, foxes, wild boars, martens and Spanish ibex live here.
All the local hills are entangled with trekking routes of tourists, which are of interest to fans of outdoor activities. once in the park, do not miss the opportunity to visit the botanical garden and the Tibetan monastery, as well as go on a tour of the observatory.
Reviews of tourists
Skiers who have visited the Sierra Nevada resort note that the slopes are more suitable for professionals, but amateurs will also find where to try their hand. Tourists say that the territory is not too large, sometimes there are queues near the ski lifts, so the resort is suitable for those who want to not only ride, but also go on excursions. The Russians are pleased that ski schools have Russian-speaking instructors, so there are no problems with communication. Those who come to Sierra Nevada with children appreciate the work of the kindergarten and nursery, the staff looking after the kids are well trained and have medical training.
Among the negative pointstourists note an expensive ski pass (pass for lifts). In the 2014-2015 season its cost for one day for an adult is 45 euros. People who visited the resort during vacations or holidays complain that it is too crowded there, you can stand in line for half a day before you get to the track.
But, as tourists note, all minor troubles are brightened up by a wonderful atmosphere and doses of adrenaline, which everyone who gets up on skis is sure to get. And in clear weather, the slopes offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlas Mountains.
