For some sports enthusiasts, the weather can either make or break their enjoyment, as any fan of Wimbledon will understand. For the avid golfer, of course, the driving wind and rain which often feature as part of the British winter climate, can present a series of disappointments as round after round of their favourite game has to be cancelled. No wonder so many fans of the sport make their way to the milder climes of the Costa Del Sol during the winter months to enjoy their pastime.
Golf is not the only sport which draws winter holidaymakers to southern Spain, however. Many go to experience the thrill of skiing down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range which lies behind the Alpujarras region in the province of Granada. Just a couple of hours’ drive from Malaga Airport, the small but superb ski resort, which is situated at Pradollano, is the most southerly in Europe and has been host to a great many national and international ski events.
Most of those who stay at the Pradollano ski resort are reported to be Spaniards, which in many ways is great for the foreign visitor as it gives the resort a more traditional and authentic feel. The apr?s ski and the active nightlife offer plenty of opportunities to mix with locals and Spanish visitors alike and go on well into the night.
Although the air temperature is much warmer than in many ski resorts elsewhere, Pradollano still offers ample snow on many of its runs, but where necessary, natural snow is supplemented by snow cannons to ensure maximum usability and enjoyment. The runs themselves offer varying levels of difficulty so there is something for everybody, from the beginner to the more experienced skier.
February is said to be the busiest month for the resort, and particularly the last week of the month, the Semana Blanca or ‘White Week’, when the country’s children have a week off from school. Weekends and national and bank holidays too obviously attract greater numbers of Spanish visitors.
Finding the Pradollano ski resort from Malaga Airport is very straightforward. Heading first northwards towards Granada, it is then just a case of following the signs towards the Sierra Nevada ‘Estacion de Ski’.
A range of different airlines fly regularly from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland to Malaga Airport during the winter months and many of the flight prices are extremely low, which means all the more money to spend on the delightful apr?s ski activities when you get there. Of course, if you are planning on taking your own skis with you, it is well worth checking with the relevant airline as to any extra cost which might be incurred, and details can normally be found on the airline’s own website.
If all the hustle and bustle of Christmas in the UK just feels like too much to bear, of course a combined skiing holiday and Christmas break is ideal, and visitors to Pradollano will always be met with a truly exceptional Spanish welcome.