Where are the Best Places to Go Skiing in Spain?

Hit the slopes on your trip to Spain

Updated 04/11/16

Spain isn't most people's first choice when it comes to skiing. But with ski resorts in five distinct regions of the country, skiing in Spain is hot stuff. Well, not literally.

For high class skiing in Spain, you can't beat the Pyrenees, with ski resorts all along the border with France, while for the sheer novelty of skiing in the south of Spain and being able to go to the beach on the same day, the Sierra Nevada is perfect. There are also ski resorts near Madrid, in the north-west of Spain (in Galicia, Leon and Cantabria), La Rioja and Teruel.

Why Ski in Spain?

Hardcore skiers in Europe will always head to the Alps to hit the slopes, but ski resorts in Spain have several advantages over their more famous cousins in Switzerland and Austria:

Skiing in Spain is cheaper than in most European resorts
Combine culture and skiing in a resort close to one of Spain's iconic cities
With numerous budget airlines flying to Spain, it is often more convenient to get to a Spanish ski...MORE station than to resorts in other countries

01 of 06
Pyrenees

••• Skiing in Candanchu, Spain. Mikel Ortega/Creative Commons
The Pyrenees are second only to the Alps for good skiing in Europe. Though a Pyrenees Skiing Day Trip from Barcelona is possible, most people make skiing the main objective of their vacation if they come to the Pyrenees.
Nearest Airports to Pyrenees
In most cases, you're best off flying to Pau or Lourdes in France. However, if you're visiting Masella or Vall de Nuria in the Catalan Pyrenees, Perpignan or Girona are closest.
For visits to Andorra, Perpignan or Carcassonne are the best airports.
The Pyrenees can be divided into four regions - Aragonese Pyrenees, Catalan Pyrenees and Andorran Pyrenees. (The French Pyrenees are dealt with by About France Travel.)
There are too many ski resorts to go into full details on them all here. Click on the links below to visit the official websites.
Ski Resorts in Aragonese Pyrenees
There are five ski resorts in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
- Astún
- Candanchu
- Cerler
- Formigal
- Panticosa
Ski Resorts in Catalan Pyrenees
There are ten ski resorts in the Catalan...MORE Pyrenees.
- Vallter 2000
- Baqueira-Beret
- Boí-Taüll
- La Molina
- Tavascan
- Port-Ainé
- Espot
- Masella
- Vall de Nuria
- Port del Comte
Ski Resorts in Andorran Pyrenees
There are seven ski resorts in Andorra.
- Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig
- Ordino Arcalis
- Soldeu el Tarter
- Pal
- Arinsal
- La Rabassa
- Encamp
02 of 06
Granada

••• Skiing in the Sierra Nevada in Spain. Nacho Castejón Martínez/Creative Commons
Europe's southern-most ski resort and home to Spain's highest mountains, towards the end of the season it is possible to ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon on the Costa del Sol.
Southern Spain isn't normally associated with snow, but the combination of the Sierra Nevada's altitude (it is the highest part of Spain) and proximity to the Mediterranean means a good combination of snow and relatively warm weather. In recent years, however, snow machines have had to be brought in to guarantee snow throughout the season.
Pradollano, Sierra Nevada Skiing At a Glance
- Altitude: 2100m/6889 feet.
- Nearest City: Granada (37km)
- Nearest Airport: Granada, though there are more flights to Malaga.
- How to Get There: There are a couple of buses from Granada bus station to Pradollano, the ski village in the Sierra Nevada. They tend to leave Granada at 8.00am and 10.00am and return in the evening at 4pm and 6.30pm. Check at the bus station to make sure departure times haven't...MORE changed. The journey takes around an hour and a round trip costs around 10 euros. Buy tickets from the ALSA window at the station (you can't buy on board).
- Website: Sierra Nevada Ski Resort Website
03 of 06
North-West Spain

••• Skiing at San Isidro, Leon, Spain. Viktoria Urbanek/Creative Commons
The north-west of Spain is more known for rain than snow, but with a number of mountainous regions, there is usually some potential for skiing in winter.
I wouldn't advice planning your vacation around skiing here. Instead, check when you are in the area if there is going to be snow, but plan a vacation around the wonderful sights of Leon, Oviedo and the Galicia region.
San Isidro, Leon Skiing at a Glance
- Nearest City: Oviedo (66km) and Leon
- Number & Types of Slopes:
  - Green ski runs: 2
  - Blue ski runs: 8
  - Red ski runs: 11
  - Black ski runs: 3
- Night Skiing?: No
- Other features: Snowboarding.
- http://www.san-isidro.net/
Skiing in Alto Campoo, Cantabria at a Glance
- Nearest City: Santander
- Number & Types of Slopes:
  - Green ski runs: 4
  - Blue ski runs: 9
  - Red ski runs: 10
  - Black ski runs:
- Night Skiing?: No
- Cost: half day - 17€; full day - 25€; 5 days - 100€
- Other features: Ski school, medical center, equipment rental, restaurants, cafeterias.
- http://www.altocampoo.com/
Skiing in Manzaneda, Galicia...MORE at a Glance
- Number & Types of Slopes:
  - Green ski runs: 4
  - Blue ski runs: 10
  - Red ski runs: 3
  - Black ski runs: 0
- Night Skiing?: No
- Other features: Swimming pool, nightclub, equipment rental, teleski, cafeterias and restaurants.
- http://www.manzaneda.com/
04 of 06
Madrid

••• Indoor skiing near Madrid. Snowticias.com/Creative Commons
Ski near the Spanish capital! As if there wasn't already plenty to do in Madrid, you can hit the slopes too! Plus, with an indoor ski center in the Xanadu shopping center, called SnowZone, you can ski all year round.
Ski Resorts near Madrid
There are now three ski resorts near Madrid (Valcotos closed down permanently).
- Navacerrada
- Valdesqui
- La Pinilla
Continue to 5 of 6 below.
05 of 06
Teruel, Aragon

••• Ski slopes in Teruel, Aragon, Spain. Visit Aragon/Creative Commons
The least iconic name of all the places on this list, in fact Teruel's ideal location between Spain's three biggest cities (Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia), makes it an ideal destination fro a spot of skiing.
The nearest airports to these ski resorts are in Valencia or Zaragoza.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Skiing near Valdelinares, Teruel at a Glance
- Nearest City: Teruel (66km - 1h20 by car), though Valencia isn't far (147km - 2h by car). Nearest villages for cheap accommodation are Valdelinares and Alcala de la Selva
- Number & Types of Slopes:
  - Green ski runs: 2
  - Blue ski runs: 3
  - Red ski runs: 3
  - Black ski runs: 0
- Night Skiing?: No
- Other features: Snow cannons to guarantee snow throughout the season. Cheap accommodation in nearby towns and villages.
- Web: http://invierno.valdelinares.nievedeteruel.com
Skiing near Javalambre, Teruel at a Glance
- Nearest City: Teruel (50km), though Valencia isn't far (134km - 1h45 by car). The nearest town (where you can get cheap...MORE accommodation) is Camarena de la Sierra (12km from resort).
06 of 06
La Rioja

••• Skiing in La Rioja, Spain. Zaloa Etxaniz/Creative Commons
La Rioja is most famous for its wine (and more recently for emerging as one of the best cities in Spain for tapas). But who knew you could ski there?
Skiing in Valdezcaray, La Rioja at a Glance
- Nearest City: Logroño
- Number & Types of Slopes:
- - Green ski runs: 4
  - Blue ski runs: 6
  - Red ski runs: 10
  - Black ski runs: 2
- Prices: 25 per day (high season)
- Night Skiing?: No
- Other features: Snowboarding, ski school, restaurants and cafeterias at three altitudes.
- Web: http://www.valdezcaray.es