Sierra Nevada - Andalucía's stunning ski resort
What's it like in Sierra Nevada?
One of the greatest delights of living in Andalucía is the amazing array of contrasts right here on your doorstep. Simple pleasures like a walk on any of the glorious beaches in the areas, watching the sun go down across the coast of Africa or more sophisticated ones like world-class international restaurants, upmarket shopping and championship golf courses. You really can have it all on the Costa del Sol.
One of the best examples of this can be found in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountain range, just a mere two hours’ drive from the Costa del Sol. So if you want to, you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon! From December to the end of April, the Sierra Nevada is an international winter sports resort and during the summer, it turns into a hiker’s paradise with a wide programme of sports and leisure activities including camping, paragliding, hiking, walking and horse-riding.
The snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada can often be seen from the Costa del Sol and a leisurely drive up to Europe’s southernmost ski resort, Prodollano, reveals a winter wonderland the likes of which many visitors don’t expect to find so soon after arriving at Málaga’s international airport. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1986 and a National Park in 1998, many are surprised to discover that the Sierra Nevada is the second highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps as well as being home to Spain’s highest peak, the Mulhacén (3,481 metres above sea level).
To the west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range is Prodollano, one of Spain’s top ski resorts. It’s an attractive alpine village which offers varied and extensive ski and après-ski facilities. Tourism is a large part of the Sierra Nevada economy and skiing is guaranteed from early December to April with a combination of the real thing and an extensive network of snow-making machines. The resort boasts more than 70km of ski pistes which cater for all standards of skiers, with nursery slopes for real beginners and Olympic-standard black runs for the real experts. There are ski and snowboard classes for all ages and abilities, given by fully-qualified instructors. There’s plenty of accommodation, excellent restaurants of all kinds and a lively nightlife for those with any energy left after a hard day on the ski slopes.
One of the best things about the Sierra Nevada is its proximity to the cultural paradise that is the vibrant city of Granada. The city is only 30km away from the magnificent Moorish Alhambra Palace – an absolute must-see, with its stunning Generalife Gardens and the beautiful Albaicín quarter of the city. How about a morning on the slopes, revive yourself with a siesta and then head on down for a taste of culture in Granada? How many other places can there be that are just over two hours flying time from the UK and offer as much as this?
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