Spain
Skiing and snowboarding is not something which readily springs to mind when thinking about Spain.
However Spain is not just good for sun & sand, it is fantastic for skiers of all abilities and ages. From nursery slopes
to the most challenging of black runs.
In many resorts, a variety of other snow sports are available, such as ice skating, snowmobiles and dog sleighs.
Wherever you live in Spain you are never far from a ski resort.
As well as Andorra, which offers superb snow sport facilities, there are resorts and slopes dotted all over Spain - from the Pyrenees
in the North to Sierra Nevada in the South.
If you live in Madrid there are slopes within easy reach, in the mountains to the north of the city. So it's possible to go for a day's skiing.
The same applies to the mountainous area to the northwest of Valencia, where you can find two ski stations providing a range of facilities for skiers
and snowboarders. Again, they cater for day trippers rather than holidaymakers. www.valdelinares.com
www.javalambre.com
In the south you can have the best of both worlds. Ski or snowboard at Sierra Nevada and take the short drive to Malaga to do some sunbathing
on the Costa del Sol beaches. The self-contained Sierra Nevada ski and snowboard resort offers all round superb facilities, or you could choose to
stay in nearby Granada or Malaga and commute to the slopes. www.sierranevadaski.com
One of the most prestigious ski resorts is Baqueira-Beret, in the Pyrenees west of Andorra. This is the playround of the rich and famous with excellent
facilities and a flourishing aprčs-ski scene. www.baqueira.es
Other resorts in the Pyrenees include Vielha, Salardu, Candanchu, Cerler, Formigal, Panticosa and La Molina, all offering good skiing/snowboarding
and a variety of evening entertainment. www.candanchu.com www.formigal.com www.lamolina.com
Masella & Super Espot, also in the Pyenees, are very popular with young people. The majority of Spanish schools have ski trips and these are some of the favourite resorts for them. www.masella.com www.espotesqui.com
Spanish ski resorts attract mainly Spanish clientele but they are becoming more and more popular with overseas skiers as they become known, not only for their excellent facilities but also for their
reasonable prices. More and more ski holidays in Spain are appearing in holiday brochures.
Andorra
in the Pyrenees, straddling the border between Spain and France, is a skier's paradise.
It has a number of superb ski stations, each one with its own character, and offers absolutely everything you could wish for. The combining of Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, El Tarter and Soldeu
has resulted in Europe's largest ski resort, Grandvalira. Children and beginners are well catered for, as are the serious and dedicated skiers. There is a wide variety of winter and snow sports
and a lively night scene. You can stay at the foot of the slopes or in one of the bustling towns with the many duty free shops. In Andorra there is something for everyone, skiers and non-skiers alike, and it is a popular
venue for both the French and Spanish. Those driving up from Barcelona in Spain and those driving over the border from France for the day mingle with the many visitors taking longer stay holidays.
www.pasgrau.com www.grandvalira.com www.ordino.ad
www.palarinsal.com www.soldeu.ad
After a hard day's skiing or snowboarding in Andorra, many people opt to relax in the thermal pools at the magnificent Caldea Hydrotherapy Centre in the heart of Andorra La Vella, Andorra's capital.
Others choose to spend time in the
numerous and well-stocked sportswear outlets.
Map of skiing areas
Hover on a region to get a list of resorts in that area and a link direct to their official websites
