Skiing in Spain

 Photo by Javier Martin

Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe (the first one is Switzerland), it caters superb skiing conditions regardless of its comparatively southern location.

There are plenty of Spanish ski resorts not only in the Pyrenees in the north, but also as south as the Sierra Nevada in the south of Spain. Resorts are nested in the proximity to the major cities, like Madrid and Barcelona. Major Spanish ski resorts cater to snowboarders as well.The most privileged skiing in Spain is considered to be in the Pyrenees. The ski slopes outer Madrid, though they are less advanced, is accessible in about one hour by public transportation, by car, or by buses served by ski clubs. And if you have no equipment you can easily rent it there.

The best Spanish ski resorts are in the Pyrenees which are comparable with the mid-sized Alpine resorts.  Further south, above Granada in Andalucia is the Sierra Nevada which in spite of its sunny climate has hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships.

If you're considering a ski holiday in Spain the main destinations to consider are as follows.  In the Catalan Pyrenees:  Baqueira-Beret, Boí-Taüll and La Molina.  In the Aragon Pyrenees:  Astún, Candanchu, Cerler, Formigal and Panticosa.  In Andorra:  Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter and Pal.  In Andalucia:  the Sierra Nevada above Granada.

You'll also find some delightful skiing in the mountains to the north of Madrid in La Pinilla, Navacerrada, Valcotos and Valdesquí.  Further north there is skiing in La Rioja at Valdezcaray, at Alto Campoo in Cantabria and at San Isidro in León though none of these lesser known stations are geared up to large scale tourism as in the Pyrenees and to a lesser extent in the Sierra Nevada.

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