First snows in Sierra Nevada – Europe’s most southerly ski resort
This picture was taken last week from the coastal resort of Salobreña
Sierra Nevada first snow 2011
The Sierra Nevada Mountains have had their first snowfall. After a particularly hot summer, the first snows were late in coming but all predictions for the coming weeks put the ski station on track to be open by the end of the month.
Sierra Nevada offers one of Europe’s longest ski seasons – from November through to May. Ski holidays in Spain are increasingly popular and look to remain so for the coming season. More and more Spanish are discovering the joys of skiing and holiday makers from Northern Europe who have been traditional more inclined to opt for beach holidays, are beginning to realize that they can enjoy the best of both Worlds. By renting a holiday home in Granada, it really is possible to be skiing in the morning and spend the afternoon on the beach.
About Sierra Nevada
After the Alps, the Sierra Nevada (the snowy mountains) is the second highest mountain range in Europe. A fact that often comes as a
surprise to many. Fourteen (one-fifth) of its peaks are over 3000m (9840ft) high and it covers a total area of some 170,000ha/420,070 acres.
Skiing Spain Sierra Nevada
Snow and ice, both of which are present for much of the year have eroded this mountain chain during the course of time to create a sculpted, twisted profile.
The highest peaks, Mulhacen (3482m / 11132ft) and Alcazaba (3371m / 11057ft) and the Veleta (3394m / 11132ft) are all found in the Western part of the range.
The Sierra Nevada ski resort was built in 1964 and held its first major sporting event, a World Cup downhill in 1977. Since that time, the resort has come along leaps and bounds – it is now Spain’s best equipped ski resort and most popular. The resort can count on over 100km of ski
runs, a total of 115 slopes and all serviced by 22 ski lifts.
