Forbes Travel Notes – Reviews, features & travel notes

Spain is more than just sun and sea; it is in fact one of Europe’s most mountainous countries with world-class peaks and more than a dozen winter sports resorts, including the slopes of Sierra Nevada, in Andalucia’s Granada Province.

Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada is southern Europe’s winter wonderland. Its main ski village of Pradollano sits at some 2100 metres, that’s over 700 metres higher than the UK’s loftiest peak of Ben Nevis. Taking the gondolas and lifts to the slopes, takes you even higher. The Laguna lift for example, heads towards the peak of Valeta, bringing you to almost 3000 metres – breathtaking!

Here is a recent piece of mine focusing on this beautiful area, close to the ancient, culturally rich city of Granada in Andalucia, Spain.

 

Sierra Nevada has over 39 pistes, 100 kilometres of runs and some 44 lifts, and a season that extends until well after Easter.

Traditionally Pradollano has been the ‘cheep and cheerful’ face of Spanish winter sports, but now the village boasts a choice of posh chalets, upscale lodges, 4 star hotels, spas, and also the 5 star Vincci Selection Hotel Rumaykiyya which captures the flavour of an Alpine retreat. The hotel offers guests suites, large family rooms and duplexes for those special family holidays and festive celebrations. The rooms and alpine balconies look out onto the sierra, so you can catch the sunrise reflecting off the piste, and at the end of the day enjoy a glass in hand, as the sunsets behind the mountain – it’s a magical spot.