Spain is not most people’s first choice when it comes to skiing. But with ski resorts in five different regions of the country, skiing in Spain is a great thing.
For high-class skiing in Spain, you can’t beat the Pyrenees, with ski resorts along the French border, while for the sheer novelty of skiing in southern Spain and being able to go to the beach on the same day . , Sierra Nevada is perfect. There are also ski resorts near Madrid, in northwestern Spain (in Galicia, León and Cantabria), La Rioja and Teruel.
Why ski in Spain?
Hardcore skiers in Europe always head to the Alps to hit the slopes, but the ski resorts in Spain have several advantages over their more famous cousins in Switzerland and Austria:
- Skiing in Spain is cheaper than in most European resorts.
- Combine culture and skiing in a resort near one of Spain’s iconic cities.
- With numerous low-cost airlines flying to Spain, it is often more convenient to get to a Spanish ski resort than to stations in other countries.
See also: Essential views of Spain: city by city
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees only surpass the Alps for good skiing in Europe. Although it is possible to take a day trip to ski the Pyrenees from Barcelona , most people make skiing the main objective of their holidays if they come to the Pyrenees.
Nearest airports to Pyrenees
In most cases, you are better off flying to Pau or Lourdes in France. However, if you visit Masella or Vall de Nuria in the Catalan Pyrenees, Perpignan or Girona are the closest.
For visits to Andorra, Perpignan or Carcassonne are the best airports.
The Pyrenees can be divided into four regions: Aragonese Pyrenees, Catalan Pyrenees and Andorran Pyrenees. (The French Pyrenees are treated by About France Travel).
There are too many ski resorts to know all the details here. Click on the links below to visit the official websites.
Ski resorts in the Aragonese Pyrenees
There are five ski resorts in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
- Astún
- Candanchu
- Cerler
- Formigal
- Panticosa
Ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees
There are ten ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees.
- Vallter 2000
- Beret Baqueira
- Boí-Taüll
- La Molina
- Tavascan
- Port-Ainé
- It’s possible
- Masella
- Nuria Valley
- Port del Comte
Ski resorts in Andorran Pyrenees
There are seven ski resorts in Andorra.
- Passage of the Casa-Grau Roig
- Ordino Arcalis
- Solder the Tarter
- Comrade
- Arinsal
- The rabassa
- Camping
grenade
The southernmost ski resort in Europe and home to the highest mountains in Spain, towards the end of the season it is possible to ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon on the Costa del Sol.
Southern Spain is not normally associated with snow, but the combination of the altitude of the Sierra Nevada (it is the highest part of Spain) and the proximity to the Mediterranean means a good combination of snow and relatively warm weather. In recent years, however, snow machines have had to be brought in to guarantee snow throughout the season.
Pradollano, Sierra Nevada Skiing at a glance
- Altitude : 2100m / 6889 feet.
- Nearest city : Granada (37km)
- Nearest airport: Granada, although there are more flights to Malaga.
- How to get there: There are a couple of buses from Granada bus station to Pradollano, the Sierra Nevada ski town. They tend to leave Granada at 8:00 am and 10:00 am and return at night at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Check with the bus station to make sure the departure times have not changed. The trip takes about an hour and a round trip costs around 10 euros. Buy tickets from the ALSA window at the station (you cannot buy on board).
- Season length : December – April
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 8
- Blue ski slopes: 33
- Red ski slopes: 34
- Black ski slopes: 4
- Night skiing? : Yes
- Other features : Halfpipe for snowboarding,
- Website: Sierra Nevada station website
Northwest of spain
Northwest Spain is better known for rain than snow, but with a number of mountainous regions, there is generally the possibility of skiing in winter.
We would not advise planning your vacation around skiing here. Instead, check when you’re in the area if it’s going to snow, but plan a vacation around the wonderful landscapes of León, Oviedo, and the Galicia region.
San Isidro, Leon Skiing at a glance
- Nearest city : Oviedo (66 km) and León
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 2
- Blue ski slopes: 8
- Red ski slopes: 11
- Black ski slopes: 3
- Night skiing? : Not
- Other features : Snowboard.
- http://www.san-isidro.net/
Skiing in Alto Campoo, Cantabria at a glance
- Nearest city : Santander
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 4
- Blue ski slopes: 9
- Red ski slopes: 10
- Black ski slopes:
- Night skiing? : Not
- Cost : half day – € 17; full day – € 25; 5 days – € 100
- Other features : ski school, medical center, equipment rental, restaurants, cafeterias.
- http://www.altocampoo.com/
Skiing in Manzaneda, Galicia at a glance
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 4
- Blue ski slopes: 10
- Red ski slopes: 3
- Black ski slopes: 0
- Night skiing? : Not
- Other features : swimming pool, disco, equipment rental, teleski, cafes and restaurants.
- http://www.manzaneda.com/
Madrid
Ski near the Spanish capital! As if there wasn’t much to do in Madrid, you can also hit the slopes! In addition, with an indoor ski center in the Xanadu Mall, called SnowZone , you can ski all year round.
Ski resorts near Madrid
Now there are three ski resorts near Madrid (Valcotos closed permanently).
- Navacerrada
- Valdesqui
- The pinilla
Teruel, Aragon
The least iconic name of all the places on this list, in fact, Teruel’s ideal location among the three largest cities in Spain ( Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia ), makes it an ideal destination for skiing.
The closest airports to these ski resorts are in Valencia or Zaragoza.
Compare prices on flights to Spain
Skiing near Valdelinares, Teruel at a glance
- Nearest city : Teruel (66 km – 1 hr 20 by car), although Valencia is not far (147 km – 2 hr by car). The closest towns for cheap accommodation are Valdelinares and Alcalá de la Selva
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 2
- Blue ski slopes: 3
- Red ski slopes: 3
- Black ski slopes: 0
- Night skiing? : Not
- Other features : Snow cannons to guarantee snow throughout the season. Cheap accommodation in nearby cities and towns.
- Web: http://invierno.valdelinares.nievedeteruel.com
Skiing near Javalambre, Teruel at a glance
- Nearest city : Teruel (50 km), although Valencia is not far (134 km – 1h45 by car). The closest city (where you can get cheap accommodation) is Camarena de la Sierra (12 km from the complex).
- Number and types of earrings :
- Green ski slopes: 3
- Blue ski slopes: 4
- Red ski slopes: 1
- Black ski slopes: 0
- Night skiing? : Not
- Other features : Snow cannons to guarantee snow throughout the season. Cheap accommodation in nearby cities and towns.
- Web: http://invierno.javalambre.nievedeteruel.com
The Rioja
La Rioja is famous for its wine (and more recently for emerging as one of the best cities in Spain for tapas ). But who knew you could ski there?
Skiing in Valdezcaray, La Rioja at a glance
- Nearest city : Logroño
- Number and types of earrings :
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- Green ski slopes: 4
- Blue ski slopes: 6
- Red ski slopes: 10
- Black ski slopes: 2
- Prices: € 25 per day (high season)
- Night skiing? : Not
- Other features : snowboard, ski school, restaurants and cafeterias at three heights.
- Web: http://www.valdezcaray.es
