Located in the Penibetic mountain range in Andalucia and blessed with the highest summits in the Iberian peninsulas, Sierra Nevada is Europe's southernmost ski resort. Skiers can look forward to 61 km of ski slopes spread over 39 runs, with 45 splendid pistes as well as 6 amazing off-piste routes covered in snow almost five months in the year. This premier ski destination, located a mere 150 km away from Costa del Sol offers 2 cable cars, 5 ski lifts, 2 gondolas and 12 chair lifts to the hordes of skiers who throng here every year. Four of the chairlifts are detachable. The World Alpine Ski championships were held here in February 1996.

The resort has earned the reputation of having the best groomed snow in all of Europe. The best news yet is that the resort has invested in sixteen artificial snow machines that are capable of generating snow 24 hours a day and are a great help for extending the season for winter sports.

Even in the eventuality that there has been absolutely no snowfall, these snow machines guarantee that Sierra Nevada remains open at all times.

Night skiing, which was introduced in 1994, is one of the most exciting features at Sierra Nevada. As a result of the pulsating night life you are likely to see the ski slopes more or less abandoned till 11 am with most of the skiers still sleeping off the consequences of the night before. Two of the other exciting features include the lighting along the 3 km El Rio Slope, which has a 545 vertical drop and the newly introduced Slalom course with a 1,100 metres vertical drop.

An on-slope half pipe available for boarders which will be available depending on snow conditions. Some of the other winter sports offered at Sierra Nevada include:
- Cross-country skiing
- Artistic skiing - moguls, jumps and ballet
- Adventure skiing
- Trekking
- Telemark skiing
- Alpine skiing
- Snowboarding

There are plenty of professional rangers who examine the slopes everyday prior to them being opened to the public as well as after they are closed down. The ski area crew is well trained to provide first aid should any emergency arise; their fastest mode of transport is the snowmobiles.

There are no excuses for not visiting Sierra Nevada and partaking of this exciting sport. No need to worry if you do not own the necessary gear as there are plenty of places where you can hire whatever equipment you need on a daily basis. There are also plenty of ski schools that will help you get started if this is your first attempt at skiing.

Pradollano, the resort village offers guests a variety of services from quality hotels to delicious Andalusian cuisine; apartments for sale as well as apartments for rent; tearooms and night clubs. The resort village also offers child day-care centres, banks, ATMS, pharmacies, church services and ski rentals.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - Discover Skiing at the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort

About the Author

Sandra Lightowler is the owner of Ask Olive the leading online information and Business Directory for Andalucia Spain.