Most tourists associate Andalusia with sun, beach, flamenco and tapas. Very few people know that here is also a great ski resort. The Sierra Nevada attracts with 100 km ski slopes and spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
On clear days you can enjoy an incredible view over the Straits of Gibraltar and clearly visible are the small towns on the Costa Tropical. Even individual vessels can be seen from nearly 3,300 meters. Further away we can see the African coast with the Moroccan Rif Mountains. Skiing in Europe with views of Africa, you won´t get that nowhere else.
Here at the highest point of the ski resort of Sierra Nevada, the view is so striking that hardly any skier goes immediately down the slopes. The Sierra Nevada is not only Europe’s southernmost, but also the highest ski area. To the 3396 meters high Veleta summit there is only a 100 metres difference in altitude from the close by Laguna Lift. Also, the 3481 metres high Mulhacén (the Mountain of Sun in Moorish times) seems within reach.
In the east lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, the Moorish city of Granada with its world-famous Caliph’s Palace, the Alhambra, which is also easily made out from the lofty heights.
Access: By charter and scheduled flights to Malaga. From here, a 90-minutes trip in a rental car or bus to Granada. There are daily buses from Granada to the ski resort Pradollano.
Winter Sports: The ski season in Sierra Nevada runs from early December to late April. The day ski pass costs about 40 €. See our related article about Sierra Nevada.