If you have been dreaming of the wonders of the European winter sports vacation, a destination you should never overlook is Sierra Nevada in Spain. That is correct: it is in Spain. Now, the more usual connotations of winter sports such as skiing are the Alps in Switzerland, France, Italy, and Germany, and secondary new destinations may mean the newly-’opened’ former Communist countries like Hungary and Romania. Relatively few winter sports tourists knew that sunny Spain can offer competitive -if not better— ski resorts, particularly Sierra Nevada.
A very popular resort in Spain, Sierra Nevada is so large a winter sports destination centered on Mt. Veleta that it is divided into six skiing areas: Veleta, Parador, Lomar Dilar, Laguna de las Leguas, Rio Monachil and Borreguiles. More than 87 kilometers comprise its skiing runs classified into 5 black, 11 green, 35 blue and 36 red runs. Thus a skier of any level of expertise -including amateurs and learners-can find his appropriate initial run plus others of increasing difficulty he can graduate to afterwards.
This is made more possible by the long winter sports season in Sierra Nevada. The season begins near the end of November and continues until April —sometimes even May-that there is plenty of time to learn, practice and gain expertise in skiing and other winter sports in the resort. Or you can schedule your winter vacation into almost summer, and yet enjoy what winter can offer in terms of winter sports. When other resorts have closed down with the passing of winter, Sierra Nevada Resort stays open for a longer time not only to accommodate latecomers but more importantly to take advantage of the snow that seem to want to stay.
Night skiing is also offered every night from 7:00 to 9:30 PM., weather permitting. Aside from skiing, the Sierra Nevada Resort additionally has an ice rink for skating and a snowboarding park with facilities also for tobogganing. Resort rangers also inspect the runs and environs before opening in the morning and after the resort closes at night as measures to ensure the safety of the vacationers. Safety hazards in the slopes are eliminated as much as possible or warning signs are posted wherever required. Many snowmobiles are always available to transport well-trained medical personnel and crew during regular operations and emergencies, again for safety and optimum management.
On accommodation, you will not experience fully-booked lodges and hotels because rooms are always available for tourists and skiing enthusiasts in Sierra Nevada Resort. Additionally, the nearby village of Pradollano, aside from having hotels and pensions for the budget-conscious, likewise has bars, night clubs, and other watering holes for the nightlife as well as shops and restaurants offering authentic and very savory Spanish cuisine. Sports equipment may also be rented at Pradollano so you don’t need to lug yours all over from home and back. You can save on excess baggage fees by renting your equipment at Pradollano.
So if you are looking at having a winter sports vacation in Europe, consider Sierra Nevada Resort in Spain. The resort offers a good variety of winter sports activities that you will not get easily bored, and you can enjoy sports for longer as well. Furthermore, Spain has unique additional offerings, such as the Prado Museum for the art of Spanish masters, old buildings dating to the 15th century and earlier, and the famous bullfights, although the bullfight season may not coincide with winter.
Nevertheless, a winter sports vacation in Sierra Nevada in Spain offers more than just winter activities. It can also offer a short appreciation course in Spanish art and history, as a taste of Spanish cuisine. Why not try it?
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