The best time to ski in Sierra Nevada Spain
Are you missing ski season? Us, too! During the unprecedented times of the pandemic, the team at El Lodge unfortunately had to close our doors to ensure the safety of both our dedicated staff and our loyal customers.
As one of the most prestigious Sierra Nevada ski hotels, we couldn’t just leave you out in the cold, so we were glad to reopen for the 2021 season even in a limited capacity. Now, as the new skiing season is underway, we’re happy to welcome our wonderful customers to Sierra Nevada with open arms once again.
So, if you’re planning an upcoming visit to our Sierra Nevada ski lodge, keep reading to learn more about the best times to enjoy the slopes here at our beautiful Sierra ski resort!
Why is the Sierra Nevada ski resort so popular?
Located in South-Eastern Spain, the Sierra Nevada ski station is one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe – but what makes it so special?
The Sierra Nevada ski resort is the furthest south in Europe and the highest in Spain, creating a climate that provides both hours of sunshine and long-lasting snow amongst mountain peaks that reach over 3,300m tall.
Thanks to their idyllic location, the Sierra ski resorts benefit from extra-long ski seasons, often running from November until June, depending on snowfall. For avid ski-enthusiasts looking to get the very most out of the season, this makes Sierra Nevada hugely appealing.
Nestled amongst the stunning province of Granada and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada National Park, the mountains of the Sierra ski resort are truly a wonder to behold. All of our customers, past and future, can benefit from some of the finest views, thanks to our unique direct connection to the slopes!
This resort also welcomes all kinds of skiers – with more than 100km of skiable terrain across over 120 slopes, there’s something to suit every level of ability. The slopes are colour-coded according to difficulty, allowing you to easily choose the best routes to tackle from our Sierra Nevada ski map.
You can also find everything you need even as a complete beginner, thanks to lessons available at our Sierra Nevada ski school and ski equipment hire through our partnership with Iliberis School.
Aside from skiing, there are also options for snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, driving snowmobiles, and more. With so many outdoor activities in such a beautiful location, holidaymakers are drawn to our resort to experience a healthy, exciting, and refreshing holiday.
When is the best time to visit Sierra Nevada ski station?
Whether you’re planning your first ever ski holiday, or you’ve simply never visited the Sierra Nevada resort before, you may be wondering: when is the best time to come for Sierra Nevada skiing?
The Sierra Nevada ski season begins in November, and usually runs until late May. However, this could even extend beyond May into early June, depending on snowfall. During these months, you can usually benefit from all-day sunshine, and with the resort being just a short drive away from the Mediterranean coast, you can even enjoy day trips elsewhere.
We offer a variety of day trip and experience packages at El Lodge throughout our open ski season. From driving a snowcat or stargazing at night to hiking, horse riding, and sightseeing forays to the Alhambra, you can make your visit to our Sierra Nevada ski resort truly unforgettable.
If you are planning a trip to Sierra Nevada for other activities such as trekking or biking, May and June are particularly great months for this, as the snow is beginning to melt.
July, August, and September are typically considered too hot for ski holidays, with temperatures only beginning to cool in October. Whilst there won’t be enough snow during October to ski, it can be a great time to visit with family if you’re looking to enjoy the area after the hottest season has passed but before the ski season begins.
With a ski season lasting for at least 5 months, this is a snow sure ski resort, meaning that you can expect optimal conditions for snow in Sierra Nevada between November and May. The best months for Sierra Nevada skiing are typically January to March. You may find that the resorts are less busy around March to April, which is also a good time for day trips to the coast.
You can always check the Sierra Nevada Snow Report for the latest information on the snow quality and how many of the slopes and lifts are open. If, for any reason, there is little to no snowfall, there are hundreds of snow cannons that can produce thousands of cubic metres of snow an hour to keep at least some of the runs in operation.
Staying with us at El Lodge
Here at El Lodge, we’re proud to be considered a home away from home for ski enthusiasts. With us, you can enjoy 45 pistes, as well as off-piste routes, and a range of luxury benefits unrivalled elsewhere. We truly know how to make your Sierra Nevada skiing holiday special.
After a long day on the slopes, there’s nowhere better for après ski than El Lodge, where you can enjoy gourmet dining at any of our four restaurants – including our unique ski-in ski-out Sun Deck. We offer everything you could want for a relaxing getaway, including a range of spa treatments and leisure facilities to give you the luxury ski holiday you deserve.
Whether you’re a returning guest or you’ve yet to visit El Lodge, our hospitable staff treat every guest like family – making your Sierra Nevada ski trip feel like a home away from home.
We encourage our customers, old and new, to keep checking our blog and social media pages for regular updates on our opening times. You can also check availability and prices online to make a booking through our website, or send any enquiries you may have to reservas@ellodge.com and we will respond to your email swiftly.
We look forward to welcoming you back to our Sierra Nevada resort and spa soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get ski lessons in Sierra Nevada?
Yes, you can take ski lessons at our in-house skiing school here at El Lodge. We have access to the best slopes in Sierra Nevada for all skill levels, and we welcome visitors with all levels of experience.
No matter how new you may be to the world of skiing, El Lodge makes it easy, with daily skiing classes available between 9am and 5pm, as well as ski equipment for hire if needed.
If you’re coming to us looking to learn new skiing skills, you can choose between group sessions or one-on-one lessons with a ski instructor. All of our ski guides are practised professionals and multi-lingual, ensuring you always get the most out of your ski training session.
You’ll have a choice between a brief 1 hour lesson, a morning session of 4 hours, or an afternoon session lasting 3 hours – or, if you truly want to learn as much as possible and improve at this unique sport during your stay, why not invest in a full day, with 7 hours of ski classes?
Click here to find out more about our ski school and lesson pricing – including other training sessions for snowboarding, snowshoes, telemark skiing, and more.
Where are the best ski slopes in Sierra Nevada?
We may be biased at El Lodge, but we believe the best ski slopes in the Sierra Nevada mountains are right on our doorstep. We’re the only hotel in the Sierra Nevada skiing station that has direct access to 50+ skiing routes.
Guests staying at El Lodge can ski down to the main station from our ski-in, ski-out Sun Deck using the Maribel piste. Shuttles are also available between the hotel and skiing station from 8am to midnight every day.
In total, Sierra Nevada boasts 106km of ski runs, made up of a selection of pistes for different ability levels, plus several off-piste routes. All ski routes are colour-coded according to difficulty, from green for beginners to black for expert skiers.
If you aren’t sure which pistes would be most suitable for you, our team will always be happy to assist you. It might also benefit you to take a refresher skiing lesson with us if it’s been a while since you last hit the slopes.
Do you provide rental ski equipment in Sierra Nevada?
If you don’t have your own ski equipment, or were unable to bring your personal equipment with you, not to worry – we offer prêt-à-porter ski equipment hire at El Lodge thanks to our partners from the Iliberis School.
With an attentive team able to kit you out in ready-to-wear yet well-fitting ski gear from the brand of your choosing, we can provide everything you need for a day on the slopes. International brands stocked include Bogner, Stöckli, and Phenix.
Of course, if you don’t have a favourite brand or are completely new to ski equipment, you can receive expert advice on which would be best for your needs and preferences. Simply make a reservation, with slots open daily between 9am and 6pm.
From regular to premium, junior to adult, you can loan full ski gear for a day for 65€ or less. You can also rent skis, snowboards, and helmets individually, and ski clothes are available upon enquiry. Why not benefit from our ski boot fitting service, too?
Click here to learn more about our ski equipment for hire and pricing.
Is skiing in Sierra Nevada good for families?
Yes, skiing is just as enjoyable as a form of family fun as it is a competitive sport. Even small children can have a great time on the beginner to intermediate slopes as they learn how to ski or snowboard – our ski school is open to all ages.
Of course, some parents may want to challenge themselves on the more difficult pistes, where young children typically can’t tag along. That’s why we have a Kids Club at El Lodge, providing a stimulating space with various games, toys, and arts and crafts.
However, this area is unsupervised, so if you would like someone to watch over small children while you’re out on the slopes for the day, be sure to speak to our reception staff to arrange a babysitter.
Outside of skiing, there are other child-friendly activities available at the main skiing station, where children can play on snow slides and snow bikes at the Kidspark within Sulayr snow park. Kids may also be able to try tobogganing, tubing, or mini slalom races.
