The historic city of Granada lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Andalucia. It’s home to the spectacular Alhambra Palace – believed by many to be one of the 10 wonders of the world. From here, it’s just a short drive (about 30 minuets) to one of Spain’s top winter sports destinations.

The views from here can be amazing. Located at an altitude of 630 meters, Granada sits just below the formidable peaks of the Sierra Nevada and offers excellent photo opportunities all year long.

At night, the Alhambra lights up and has a dramatic, almost ethereal, presence that can be seem from most parts of the city.

In winter, the low angled sun creates deep polar blue skies over brand new snow-capped peaks. As the seasons change, it stays sunny and warm during the day but can get bitterly cold at night.

Background
The city was founded by the Moors from North Africa in about A.D. 750. In it’s heyday (the 1200’s) Granada was a centre of Moorish wealth and culture. In the year 1492, the armies of Ferdinand and Isabella conquered the city. Granada remains one of the last Moorish strongholds in Europe.

Climate
If you’re not into winter sports, spring and autumn are the best times to visit. During the summer months, temperatures can be unbearable – up to 40 degrees (sometimes more!). Thankfully though, the heat is dry, so not as bad as the likes of Seville or Madrid.

In spring and autumn it’s warm and sunny with hardly any rainfall, although in winter you can get occasional frosts and obviously snow in the mountains.

Winter sports
The Sierra Nevada is one of Spain’s most popular winter sports destinations. At just a two-hour drive from the Costa del Sol, holidaymakers can easily manage to hit the slopes during the day and then chill out on the beach in the evening (or vice versa).

The Sierra Nevada has over 65 kilometres of ski slopes and normally you can expect snow for about five months of the year; although recently there’s been less snow than usual – possible as a result of global warming…

The slopes of the Sierra Nevada are ideal for all levels – from beginner to advanced. They range from easy to downright scary! El Rio for example, is a 3 kilometre 545m vertical drop. There’s plenty of places to hire equipment and more than enough ski schools to help you sharpen your technique.

Snowboarding has become increasingly popular here, especially with the younger visitors and “surfer-dude” types. You’ll find no shortage of trendy shops selling all the latest logos and brands – at often insane prices! (insanely expensive). Snowboarding lessons are available for all levels throughout the resort.

Nightlife
The Sierra Nevada is renowned for its decadent nightlife or “après ski” entertainment. The resorts are literally packed with restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs and discos and after a hard day on the slopes (muscles aching) what better way to unwind! The atmosphere’s friendly yet buzzing – normally more so than in the coastal resorts.

Best times to ski
The best times to hit the slopes are between 9 and 11am in the morning and again between 1 and 3pm in the afternoon. During these times, everyone is either in bed (dying of a hangover), still too drunk to ski, or have gone back to bed for a siesta.

The Sierra Nevada is normally open from 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon. At the weekends and on certain holidays, you can ski at night.

Granada and the surrounding mountains are truly magical – an absolute must see (at any time of the year).