Less than 2 hours’ drive from Malaga and the Mediterranean Sea are the highest peaks of the peninsula, the Veleta (3.394m) and the Mulhacen (3.478m).
The majestic Sierra Nevada, located in our neighbouring province Granada, has more than 100 km of skiable slopes in its southernmost ski resort in Europe under a deep blue sky.
The Sierra Nevada National Park is also a great year-round destination, as you will discover in our article!
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Table of Contents
Sierra Nevada in Winter
The heart of winter activity in Sierra Nevada is the Pradollano ski resort. It is located over 2,000 metres above sea level, with over 4,000 hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, ski schools and equipment hire.
In other words, if you want to, all you need to do is wrap up warm and you can spend a great day in the snow; whether you ski or not, as there are also fun activities for people who don’t want to ski. We’ll tell you more about that below!
Ski and snowboard lovers will find everything and more in Sierra Nevada:
Snowpark Sulayr
The Sulayr snowpark, a dream area for snowboarders and freestyle skiers of all levels.
Ski touring
The resort has two ski touring routes: one on the Pista El Águila, in the Cauchiles area, and another that runs along the Loma Dilar.
Nordic skiing
There is also a cross-country skiing track (Nordic skiing) next to the lower station of the Virgen de las Nieves chairlift, which is 2.5 km long.
Essential skiing equipment
If you are a “newbie” to the world of skiing or snowboarding, let’s take a look at the essential equipment you need to enjoy this sport safely.
Essential ski equipment and gear
- Waterproof ski jacket and trousers
- Breathable base clothing (thermal shirt)
- Ski gloves
- Ski goggles
- Beanie and scarf
- Ski socks
- Lightweight ski backpack to carry some water, mobile phone etc.
- Most appropriate ski equipment (skis or board, boots and poles), according to ski and snowboard level.
Equipment rental shops
There are several equipment rental shops. You can book your equipment online in advance and pick it up when you arrive at the resort.
Clothing and accessories shops
In case you have left your gloves at home, there are also several shops where you can buy accessories such as goggles, gloves, cream, beanies, helmets, etc.
One of them is located in Borreguiles. Opening hours every day from 9 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Winter Activities
Night skiing
On Saturday evenings you can enjoy the pleasure of night skiing on the resort’s longest slope, El Rio, which is illuminated for the occasion over a distance of 3 km.
The Three Wise Men
The Three Wise Men arrive in Sierra Nevada skiing down the illuminated slope of El Rio on January 5th at dusk.
Swimming costume descent
A particularly fun event is the traditional swimming costume descent. It takes place every year in the last week of spring skiing, usually in April.
Recreational area Mirlo Blanco
And if I don’t ski, what can I do?
Very close to the main square of Pradollano is the Mirlo Blanco recreational area. It is the perfect place to enjoy the snow in a different way by skating, Russian sledging, bike-skiing or sledging to name but a few.
Sun & Snow 2024: electronic music festival in the snow
The 5th edition of Sun & Snow 2024, the famous boutique electronic music festival in the middle of nature, will take place on 5, 6 and 7 April 2024. From 12 noon to 6 am, from the ski slope to the dance floor and as long as the body can take it!
These dates mark the end of the ski season.
Apréski
Cafés & Restaurants
When you have finished your day’s physical activity, Pradollano is full of cafés, bars and restaurants; recharge your batteries and spend a relaxing time with family and friends.
Sierra Nevada has added to its varied gastronomic offer a new and exclusive gourmet establishment, La terraza El Torreón – Moët & Chandon, with privileged views of the Veleta and the whole area of Borreguiles and all that the heart of the privileged aprés skier desires.
- El Torreón is open from 12 noon to 3.45 pm from Friday to Tuesday. It is advisable to make a table reservation, especially at weekends. Reservations can be made by sending an email to eltorreon.terrazapremium@cetursa.es.
Pubs & Clubs
Pradollano is well known for its exuberant nightlife. If you’ve still got enough energy left, you’re sure to party until the early hours of the morning.
Spa
There is nothing better than soaking in a hot bath or having a massage after a hard day on the slopes. In Pradollano you can choose between several Spas, located in the hotels Hotel Melia Sol y Nieve and Hotel Rumaikiyya.
Shopping
In the central square of Pradollano there are a number of ski and equipment rental shops, ski schools, supermarkets, chemist, banks, medical service, etc.
It is worth having a look at the official Sierra Nevada website; there is an interesting range of promotions and discounts on offer, such as skier’s day on Wednesdays, vouchers for university students or family ski passes, parking and menus.
Sierra Nevada Update Winter 2023/24
We take advantage of the first snowfall during the last weekend of October to update this post with more news for this winter season 2023/2024 in Sierra Nevada.
The big news this year are three new ski lifts that will be in operation between the Immaculate Conception bridge holiday and the Christmas holidays.
The new, state-of-the-art Al Ándalus gondola lift will be more comfortable and faster than the previous one. It will have a total of 77 cabins with a capacity for 10 people including an inner ski rack.
In the Loma de Dílar area there will be a double chairlift, El Puente I and II, which will serve the Víbora, Montebajo and Villén slopes.
Capture your memories of Sierra Nevada with Skiline
Take a snapshot of your day, down the speedcheck track or with your friends at the Photopoint with a fantastic panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada.
To do this, an app is used in combination with the forfait card. The system saves your videos, your downhill runs and your photos so that you can view them whenever you want.
You can download your photo on the Skiline website or app, by entering your ski pass number.
Webcams in Sierra Nevada
There are several webcams in Sierra Nevada installed around the resort to see the current weather situation.
Parking in Pradollano
There are two parking spaces available in the area, one outdoor and one indoor.
Parking los Peñones
Parking space at a 24-hour rate (12 € in 2023) from the time of entry until full capacity is reached. The fee must be paid before entering the car park.
Indoor Parking Plaza Andalucía
- In this car park, you can pay for your stay directly from your mobile phone: https://sierranevada.es/pagatuparking
There are four charging points for electric cars on Level -3 of the car park, which are operated by an Endesa app.
Map Pradollano
Skiing in the morning & swimming in the afternoon in the sea
This slogan, which became famous many years ago, is true. Technically it is perfectly possible to ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon in the Mediterranean Sea. For proximity, the Costa Tropical of Granada would be the preferable option but the Costa del Sol is also very close.
Although the water temperature in the middle of winter hardly reaches 17ºC, there are many local enthusiasts who go for a swim at this time of year and we also have a few Nordic visitors who find 17ºC perfectly acceptable for a cool swim.
Sierra Nevada all year round
The high mountains of Sierra Nevada are a destination worth visiting all year round. This privileged spot was declared National Park of Sierra Nevada in 1999 and not only can we enjoy a magnificent nature, but also a very rich cultural heritage in its southern slope, the Alpujarra.
Activities
The Mirlo Blanco recreational area is open in summer from mid-July to the first week of September inclusive. In addition, there are hiking trails, astro-tourism activities, observation of the Perseids on 12 August or e-bike routes, just to mention a few.
Visit Granada
You have more time to travel? Then don’t miss a visit to Granada, this jewel located in the foothills of Sierra Nevada with a huge cultural, historical and monumental heritage.
Granada is also a university city with a young population and lots of nightlife. Get lost in the labyrinthine streets and small squares of the old Moorish quarter Albaicín. And drop into some of its endless bars, Granada is famous for its Tapas!
Visit the Alpujarra
If you are a lover of slow travel and nature, discover the unique magic of the white villages of Arabic origin of the Alpujarra. It is located on the southern slopes of Sierra Nevada.
The whole area of the Alpujarra enjoys a special microclimate, with lush green valleys and beautiful villages nestling on the slopes. Órgiva is the capital of the region, which is also known as the Ibiza of the south, for its animated alternative life.
More info about Sierra Nevada & how to get there
Check our complete guide about Sierra Nevada and Granada, where we explain more details about this destination and how to get there.
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