by Stand at the top of Europe’s southernmost ski resort and, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of Morocco in the distance, hundreds of miles across the Mediterranean. In the foreground, the great brown plains of Andalusia stretch like a faded jute blanket as far as the eye can see – a stark juxtaposition with the bright white snow at the summit of Veleta, the highest mountain in the Sierra Nevadas and the third most height in Spain.
While the resort of Baqueira Beret, further north in the Spanish Pyrenees, has launched into the British mainstream with package holidays from the UK’s biggest operator, Crystal Ski, the Sierra Nevada ski resort in southern Wales has a long time ago. hearts – especially those who love the sun.
With 105km of wide, mostly blue and red pistes, a decent beginner area, a throbbing après-ski environment and English-speaking ski schools, Sierra Nevada is a worthy proposition for skiers looking for a convenient and affordable break. Unlike its northern cousin, holidays here have been available with the likes of Ski Solutions, Sno and Iglu Ski for years – but it’s still under the highway radar.
High peaks and unparalleled comfort
Despite its southern location, the resort is one of the highest in Europe and the season is long. Lifts started turning on December 9 this winter and aim to continue until May, thanks to its height and strengthened snow capacity.
Veleta – the highest peak in the area – is located at 3,398m, while the hub of the resort, Pradollano, is located at 2,100m. Compared to Val Thorens – the highest resort in France and Europe at 2,300m – and Pointe du Thorens – the highest point in the French Tri-Valley ski area at 3,266m – and the high credentials of the Sierra Nevada are hard to resist.
The resort is only two hours’ drive from Malaga and 55 minutes from Andalucian hotspot in Granada. Both are served by regular flights from UK regional airports – and importantly, unlike major Alpine hubs, not just at weekends.
The convenient schedule and short transfers are the perfect ingredients for a combined beach ski holiday if you visit at the right time of year. It’s this unique pairing that sees guests return year after year. “We’ve been coming here for 16 years,” said Lesley Park from Plymouth, whom I meet drinking coffee and people watching in the sunshine on the piste. “We fly from Exeter or Bristol and drive from Malaga. We spend three days here and three days on the beach.” It’s a tempting combination.
A bright future
Far above the snow, admittedly, the Sierra Nevada is not the prettiest choice. Its rarefied position, as well as the historical reputation of Eurotrash, are probably the reasons why it did not reach the British mainstream. The accommodation is mostly modern and tired set out on a road that winds steeply through the resort and at first glance, I admit it is ugly.
But the area is being renovated, with new hotels and major investment in ski infrastructure. Four new lifts were opened this winter alone, as part of the biggest investment project in the resort’s history. This includes €6.7 million spent on the new, faster gondola Al Ándulus main pipe, which greatly improves mountain traffic along with the rearrangement of the Borreguiles beginner area. Over 30 high-tech snow guns are also now in use, replacing machines that were more than 40 years old.
Last winter, the four-star Alpine hotel Maribel opened ski-in/ski-out after an extensive renovation by new owner Puente Romana Beach Resort, which manages the nearby upmarket property, Le Lodge. Both offer an elevated experience from the rest of the Sierra Nevada. The owner’s property in coastal Marbella – two and a half hours’ drive away – creates the perfect combination for the beach ski breaks guests like Lesley seek.
As well as tackling in style, the sunny terraces of Maribel and Le Lodge offer the perfect lunch spot for discerning skiers looking for more than Tex-Mex pizza or Dominos (the fast food giant has a shop on the slopes). . It comes at a price though: while a pasta lunch in the main self-service restaurant at Borreguiles might set you back €10, spaghetti with porcini and garlic at Maribel weighs in at €26.
A mountain of savings
Back home, the restaurants and bars located around Pradollano offer energetic music, quality views and an environment over the Spanish sea. In any of the outlets in the small covered tapas hall, prices start at €3.50 for a juicy rioja, pizza for €10 and a large plate of jamón ibérico around €15-20. The Parador chairlift takes two small and rickety foot passengers from Pradollano to the top of town, with two stations along the way. At the bottom of the lift another small square of lively tapas bars is great value – bocadillos (sandwiches) in Las Gondolas cost €6-7, pastas €10 and burgers €8-9.
Families are certainly drawn to the resort too, drawn by easy travel, long hours of sunshine, reasonable prices and one more big bonus – unlike many of their European counterparts, Spanish children don’t have a half-term break at the same time with Britain. family in February. The resort operates dynamic lift pass pricing throughout the season, with access to the slopes costing between €37-45 per day or €175-245 for a week.
Basics
Abigail was a guest of booking.com and Hotel Maribel.
A week’s stay at Hotel Maribel costs from £3,765, B&B, including flights and transfers with booking.com.
