Sierra Nevada: skiing just three hours from the Costa del Sol

27th October 2023 · 4 min. read

Around the end of November or beginning of December, the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort, in the province of Granada, will open its doors. Although it may not seem like it, this great recreational-sporting spot is one of the coast’s top winter attractions, as Sierra Nevada is only a three-hour drive from the Costa del Sol.

The resort is usually open until spring, although it depends on the weather each year. As the time to enjoy skiing and a wide range of other winter sports is limited, it is very important to plan ahead for your visit. The resort is under high demand, so it is key to secure accommodations in advance.

From Costa del Sol – Christie’s Real Estate will give you some key facts about this resort in the south of Spain.

Sierra Nevada is a powerful mountain massif in the south of Andalusia. It has the second highest mountain in the country, the Mulhacen, at 3,482 meters tall. For those who know the Costa del Sol, the beautiful mountain of La Concha measures 1,215 meters, if you want to make comparisons. The Mulhacén is part of the Sierra Nevada National Park, classified as a Biosphere Reserve for its high ecological value. For one last measurement reference, the Mulhacen is the third highest peak in Europe, after Mont Blanc and Mount Etna.

A beautiful legend says that the name of the mountain comes from Mulay Hasan, the penultimate sultan of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, back in the 15th century. It is said that the ruler, fed up with humanity, asked to be buried in an isolated place, high and close to the sky. The story has gained so much fame that there has even been a search for his tomb and possible treasures, but so far, there have been no results.

Whether there is a King buried within or not, the Mulhacén is impressive with its great beauty and the abundant snow on its summit. The truth is that this giant does not fall within the ski resort itself. There are various itineraries available for climbing to its summit, but they are activities that fall more into the category of mountaineering or climbing.

However, another neighboring mountain, Pico Veleta, also over three thousand meters high, is the star of the ski resort. The slopes of Área Veleta have the largest descents and the steepest slopes of the resort.

When the temperatures drop, there is still a lot to do on the Costa del Sol. Stroll by the sea with a good scarf, go shopping in the great shopping centers of the Costa del Sol, such as La Cañada or Miramar, or go hiking through the villages of Andalusia. You could also visit a spa or an elite gym or look for good and cozy restaurants.

But it is true that winter is often associated with snowy landscapes and cold-weather activities. For lovers of skiing, slalom, snowboarding, or snowshoeing, or for those who have small children and want them to have fun on their sleds, or in snowball fights or building snowmen, the resort will give them a good welcome. Of course, the facilities offer numerous learning courses for all ages. And, of course, it is also possible to rent the necessary equipment. All useful information on slopes, schedules, prices and special offers can be found on the resort’s website.

For accommodations, we advise you to book your stay as far in advance as possible. There are several categories of hotels and numerous apartments for rent. As for hotels, we’d like to highlight El Lodge, with beautiful suites and great mountain views, and the five-star Vincci Selección Rumaykiyya in the heart of Pradollano (one of the most popular in the area).

Of course, there are some very interesting options to buy a property in the area that you can reserve for individual use or rent out to earn some profits as well.

We hope you are encouraged to ski and enjoy Sierra Nevada, a white paradise just three hours from the Costa del Sol.

For luxury properties in Marbella and the surrounding areas, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be pleased to guide you.