Spain isn't the first place to spring to mind when people think about a skiing holiday.   Apart from Switzerland, Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe  so maybe it isn't too surprising that there are many ski resorts dotted around. The majority of these resorts are situated in the North, high up in the Pyrenees mountain range.

What may surprise you is that some of the best skiing is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains  near the area called the "oven of Spain" on the Costa del Sol.  The Sierra Nevadas are close to the city of Granada and only a couple of hours drive from Spain's Mediterranean coast. The ski season in the Sierra Nevada resorts lasts from the end of November, well into April and sometimes a bit later. The words Sierra Nevada actually mean "snowy mountain range".  The highest mountain in Spain at 3,482 meters is the Mulhacen which is one of the mountains which make up the Sierra Nevadas.  Unlike many other resorts, the Sierra Nevadas can have days or even weeks of unbroken sunshine so coming back with a tan isn't unusual.

Snow conditions in the Pyrenees can vary enormously from year to year as holidaymakers flying over to Spain will testify.  Some years only the very peaks have visible snow.  The main skiing areas  of the Pyrenees are situated in three provinces. Catalan, Aragon and Andorra. They include the resorts of La Molina, Cerler, Astun, Candanchu, Formigal, Grau Roig, El Tarter and Pal. Other resorts are Panticosa,  Baquiera-Beret Pas de la Casa and Boi-Taull.

There are also a few lesser known resorts offering some good skiing, notably north of Madrid in Valcotos, La Pinilla, Navacerrada and Valdesqui. Skiing resorts, albeit small, can also be found in the wine region of Rioja at Valdezcaray and also in Alto Campo in Cantabria.  These resorts are not mainstream and have fewer facilities than the main resorts of the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevadas.

Many travel agents offer all inclusive holidays to the main Spanish skiing resorts. There are also a few specialised companies offering ski and sightseeing holidays in some of the smaller resorts.

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