Where Are the Best Places to Go Skiing in Spain?

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.

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.

There are five ski resorts in the Aragonese Pyrenees.

• Astún
• Candanchu
• Cerler
• Formigal
• Panticosa

There are ten ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees.

• Vallter 2000
• Baqueira-Beret
• Boí-Taüll
• La Molina
• Tavascan
• Port-Ainé
• Espot
• Masella
• Vall de Nuria
• Port del Comte

There are seven ski resorts in Andorra.

• Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig
• Ordino Arcalis
• Soldeu el Tarter
• Pal
• Arinsal
• La Rabassa
• Encamp

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.

• 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 8:00 am and 10:00 am and return in the evening at 4 pm and 6:30 pm. Check at the bus station to make sure departure times haven't changed. The journey takes around an hour and a round trip cost around 10 euros. Buy tickets from the ALSA window at the station (you can't buy on board).
• Season Length: December - April
• Number & Types of Slopes:
  • Green ski runs: 8
  • Blue ski runs: 33
  • Red ski runs: 34
  • Black ski runs: 4
• Night Skiing?: Yes
• Other features: Halfpipe for snowboarding,
• Website: ​Sierra Nevada Ski Resort Website

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.

We 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/

• 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/

• 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/

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.

There are now three ski resorts near Madrid (Valcotos closed down permanently).

• Navacerrada
• Valdesqui
• La Pinilla 

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 from a spot of skiing. 

The nearest airports to these ski resorts are in Valencia or Zaragoza.

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• 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

• Nearest City: Teruel (50km), though Valencia isn't far (134km - 1h45 by car). The nearest town (where you can get cheap accommodation) is Camarena de la Sierra (12km from resort).
• Number & Types of Slopes:
  • Green ski runs: 3
  • Blue ski runs: 4
  • Red ski runs: 1
  • 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.javalambre.nievedeteruel.com

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?  

• 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