Skiing in the Sierra Nevada: Snow Above the Sun

When most people picture Andalusia, their minds drift to whitewashed villages, the rhythms of flamenco, or golden sunsets over the Mediterranean. Few expect to find themselves strapping on skis, surrounded by snow, just an hour from the warmth of Granada. Yet in the heart of southern Spain rises the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range that defies expectations.

The peaks here are dramatic, soaring high above the plains and reaching nearly 3,500 metres at Mulhacén, the highest mountain in mainland Spain. At their foot lies Pradollano, Europe’s most southerly ski resort. The season begins as the first winter snows powder the ridges, usually in late November, and lasts well into spring, long after the almond trees are already blossoming down below.

On the slopes, the experience is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The sky is often a crystal-clear blue, the sun blazing down even as the snow crunches under your skis. On the clearest days, pausing at the summit of Veleta Peak, you might glimpse the shimmer of the Mediterranean Sea, and beyond it, the distant outline of Morocco. Few ski resorts can offer such a view, a reminder of how close Andalusia sits to Africa, a land of crossroads and contrasts.

But skiing here is more than a modern thrill; it’s steeped in history. The very name Sierra Nevada means “snowy mountains,” and for centuries, this snow was more than just a scenic backdrop. During Moorish rule, ice was harvested from the peaks and stored in stone icehouses, later transported to Granada to chill food and drinks in the days before refrigeration. Centuries later, the Sierra Nevada would host the 1996 Alpine World Ski Championships, placing this hidden gem firmly on the international ski map.

Evenings in Pradollano are a delight of their own. As the sun dips behind the mountains, the village hums with energy, skiers warming themselves with hot drinks, families tucking into hearty meals, and friends sharing stories over tapas. Yet the most incredible luxury of all may be its location. Within an hour, you can trade snowy slopes for the Moorish beauty of the Alhambra, or even drive further south and walk barefoot along the beaches of the Costa Tropical.

Skiing in the Sierra Nevada is a reminder of Andalusia’s magic, a place where contrasts live side by side. Sun and snow, history and modernity, mountain and sea. One day here and you’ll understand why Andalusia is never quite what you expect.

Photo by Albert Hyseni