The end of the summer and daily trips to the beach can come too soon for some. For others darker evenings and a chill in the air means that winter is here and that the slopes of Sierra Nevada will soon be dotted with colour as Andalucíans take to their skis and enjoy the winter fun.

If you live near Marbella on the Costa Del Sol then Sierra Nevada is only a two hour drive away in the mountains above Granada. Many families visit the slopes at least once during the season and queues can become long at weekends. If you can manage a mid week trip, avoiding a public holiday, you should benefit from plenty of space and pristine snow.

Sierra Nevada is a rugged and dramatic mountain range which is the highest region in Europe after the Alps. The area covers 86,208km. Popular activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking and of course skiing. There is an abundance of flora and fauna covering the mountain slopes, glacial lakes and the foothills of Alpujarras.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada is a fantastic experience for many children, a visit to Sierra Nevada is the first experience they have ever had of snow and the first opportunity to make a snowman. For some a trip to the snow helps the Christmas season to feel festive as there are many apartment and Hotels to choose from in all price ranges.

Sierra Nevada ski resort is located at Pradollano and the season starts from late November until late April/May. There is plenty of restaurants and nightlife in the town and it’s an exciting place to visit even if you don’t ski.

 All skiing equipment can be rented on arrival and there are plenty of Ski schools to help you develop your skiing skills. Even if you have no intention of skiing, seeing the beauty of white-topped mountains can make the visit well worthwhile.

Skiing trips

Some local residents organise day trips from the Costa Del Sol around 12/13 trips per season

And can be contacted on +34 603464582

Ski or snowboard lessons can be arranged for the days visit.

The Coach usually leaves around 06:00 am and returns around 20:00 pm depending on the traffic.

Alternatively you can book through tourist offices found scattered in each town or just hire a car and drive there yourself.