 Poster: A snowHead
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Am possibly in the Granada area xmas time & thinking that I might be able to squeeze in a day or two skiing if it's available . I've not yet found a snow history for the area, so has anyone any idea of whether there's a reasonable chance of there being skiable snow at that time of year ? Am also interested in any do's/don'ts/not to be missed suggestions from any that do know the area.
cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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88cm higher/20cm lower, and generally has at least 50cm from the beginning of December onwards, with a season peak of about 170cm at the start of March... Top cover varies from 20cm to 200cm around Christmas, and bottom from zero to 50cm, so it looks highly possible.
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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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nickH, They have an awful lot of snow cannons at SN and they wer'nt afraid to use them when we were there last march so I think you'll have a pretty good chance of skiing even if there is a lack of natural snowfall. here is a trip report I submitted to another forum its a bit of an epic almost war and peace,  but it will give you a flavour of the place http://www.skidvd.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6824
regards
Mark
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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thanks all
paulio, ousekjarr, thanks for the ski depth info, pretty reassuring so now thinking pretty seriously about it !
Rookiemark, really good & helpful posting, the info on accessing the slopes from grenada, & on the costs, really useful & has saved me a lot of browsing elsewhere.Sounds as though it'll be a great place to spend a few days, & it wouldn't be too much of a struggle resorting to the taps bars if there turns out to be no snow !!
II, good news that they're well equipped with cannon, though like every other snowhead I'll be keeping everything crossed for a record early start to the season !!
thanks again
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nickH, a comment from my pops:
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| The major advantage if you have a mixed group of skiers and non skiers is that you can stay in the wonderful city of Granada and visit the sights while those who want to ski can take the 45 minute trip from the bus station (Line 714) at 8.00 am or 10.00 am, returning at 4.00 or 6.00 pm. You can even day hire all the kit from the cabin at the bus station to save time when you get to the resort! Fare in 2006 was a mere €4.20 each way. |
In case that helps!
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ski-finder, thank your pops for the info - will be with a non skier so probably will stay in the city. I'm now getting really interested - just pray for early snow !
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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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Having spent a year in Granada you should definitely make sure you spend at least a couple of days in the city if you can. The tapas bars are one of the few areas in spain where the tapas are free. Order your drinks and wait for the tapas to come, then order another drink and you'll get something different to try! You should try to get to the Al Hambra palace in Granada but book your tickets in advance through their website as the queues can be hours long. Anyway as this is a ski site, my experience of the skiing in the Sierra Nevada was very limited due to the drought that occurred that year so can't really comment other than to say it gets lots of sun so I would agree that you have to go prepared to ski on snow cannon runs. Beautiful place though so any skiing will be a bonus.
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cookie, I'll certainly not be going with any expectations on the ski front & hope to have a good chance to look around as, all going well, I should have four or five days there. The free tapas sounds very interesting - I rather like the idea of having to drink for ones food ! think I might start practising now
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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nickH, Agree with cookie, my mother now lives in Granada and we have had varied success with skiing but Granada has much to offer. Last year they were lacking in snow and temperatures were on the high side if I remember so tho there was skiing just after New Year they only issued a relatively small number of passes which sold out early and could only be bought in resort either late pm the day before or first thing in the morning- so you had to gamble on taking the bus up early and no certainty of a pass or going up the day before .....And we lost either one or two days due to high winds which over the periods we were in Grananda (1 Jan - 6 Jan and 11-14 April). They do post closures on the web as early each day as poss so well worth having internet access from 7.30am onwards if poss. It is possible to book passes for 3 days or more then you have more certainty.
The bus service we found great - allow enough time to buy a ticket and the bus station is a few km out of town (we got a taxi to it to save time which cost about 7 euro - not much less than the bus ticket cost I think!) but the buses have numbered seats and they seem to put on as many buses as necessary - there were 3 or 4 going up at 10am in April
April snow was more extensive than January (tho still limited) but may of course be very different this year. I have posted some pics in the snowzone if I remember correctly. Having said that I'm trying to find the best option to be there between Christmas and New Year and will hope to ski if they have enough snow and a reasonable amount open 
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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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been there a few times  but only once around xmas time, the snow was fine but it was a few years ago, went last season in Jan there was limited cover but enough for a few days, it was icey in the morning and in the later afternoon it started to get slushy, when you go where are you stopping ? I stop in a hotel opposite the Alhambra palace its about 20 min walk into Granada and about 30 mins drive to the village, after skiing you can have a few beers sat on the terrace looking down the mountains with great views to be had. If you want will dig out the name of the hotel and pm you with directions form airport and to the village.
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Late starter, Though not able to confirm anything for the next week or so the current plan is to be in Granada for 5 to 6 days over xmas itself. It does sound as though the chances of snow are rather slim, so I think it'll be a case of throwing minimal ski kit in the bag last minute if there's any likelyhood of some white stuff. Sounds as though there's plenty to entertain me if there isn't ! Let me know if you do end up heading there - it might have to be a slopeside beer !
jase2472, would be great if you could dig out the hotel name. I've been looking on the net & there does seem to a good choice of places over Xmas, but personal recommendations always welcome
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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nickH, the hotel is called Hotel Alixares, it easy to get to from Granada airport or the road in from malaga,its just off the mountain road as you enter granada and you can walk 20 mins in town walking past the Alhambra palace
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Poster: A snowHead
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jase2472, thanks for that, I'll look into it
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