 Poster: A snowHead
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After some great advice from this site, it looks like my best option will be to ski Sierra Nevada this coming February half-term.
Anyone skied there and have any advice about the resort and/or region?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes , have skied there many times , not a big resort and can be affected by high wind, basically split into two main areas , has had some new lifts put in and upgraded over the last few years, enough to keep you occupied for a long weekend, the road leading up to Pradollano can be very busy and if there is snow you will be stopped if you haven't chains or snow tyres, from Pradollano lifts take you to the main ski area at Borreguiles, top lift is a long drag to the Valletta run , peel off from there and if the lifts are open you can ski into the next vally , main run is the Rio which takes you back to Pradollano. If you have a car the cheapest option is to stay couple of Km down the road to the lower hotels , if you don't mind a bit more cost then there are hotels right next to the lifts. Mainly Spanish , Portuguese and Brits , the British ski center can help with accommodation and a Giles the owner or his minions are worth talking to for info . https://skisierranevada.co.uk/
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Great info thanks 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Good luck, you take a risk expecting good skiing for a week. If you want average skiing for 3-4 days you should be ok. I went once (15 years ago?!) and several colleagues drove from Lisbon at different times, most left a couple of days early. As it is a single mountain it gets blasted by wind so if there is not a recent dump then it can be scrapy. The winds can also shut the lifts, for days at a time. Then its location makes it vulnerable to warm spring weather (15C in Lisbon on NYE as I type) and half the runs will be closed. Its geography makes it a gamble.
It should be a good place IF the weather is good, and especially for beginners/ early inters. You are in the area, it’s a great opportunity. But I wouldn’t advise an entire day travel to expect a great week there. Seen too many disappointments. From here, between driving 8h to Granada and 12h to Andorra for a week ski, I’d go Andorra every time.
I try to give fair warning. If you strike lucky you’ll have a great time 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Sorry why would it be 8hrs to Granada and 12 to Andorra? They are 9 hrs and 900km apart by car?
Are you saying you live in Lisbon? Google maps suggest Andorra is a bit further than that, but obviously none of that applies to me as Im flying whereever.
Luckily I still consider myself a beginner, early Inter!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Plenty to do though otherwise if the slopes are poor or closed? Visit Granada (book the Alhambra though) and not far too the sea?
Somewhere we’ve always wanted to go and do but its not worked out (yet!).
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Yes, from Lisbon 7h to Granada (not 8, just checked), 12h to Andorra, plus stops.
If you are a beginner it should be fine, but check weather reports before. You mentioned friends who were experienced.
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Plenty to do though otherwise if the slopes are poor or closed? Visit Granada (book the Alhambra though) and not far too the sea?
Somewhere we’ve always wanted to go and do but its not worked out (yet!). |
Absolutely.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Went for half term a few years ago, we've no kids but friends were there, and had a fabulous week. There's more than enough to do for a week with only a little imagination. If the weather comes in Granada is a great day out off the hill. The village is car free, lots of free tapas with beers as well.
Everywhere is a gamble with the weather as it is these day so all I can say is I'd definitely go again and the year we went we had an absolutely fabulous time.
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Thanks for all your replies.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you search on Sierra Nevada there are various comments.
My main concern is snow quantum. At the moment there are only about 30kms of slopes open due to lack of snow and relatively high temperatures. Skier numbers are being limited accordingly which affects weekends and holidays particularly Snow making in some areas is good but on the Laguna sector, mainly excellent red runs, poor/negligible.
Last year the decent dump of snow didnt come until March and no base in the Laguna sector was established.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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FAQ
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