Winter has arrived, and ski aficionados are breathlessly awaiting the snowy weather so they can start hitting the slopes. In Spain, the people are blessed with some of the best ski resorts that can be enjoyed all throughout the different regions of the country. Perhaps the most well-known ski areas are Baquiera, Formigal and Sierra Nevada, but if you live in or around Madrid you don’t need to go far at all to practice all of your favorite snow sports. If you love skiing, snowboarding or other winter sports, then don’t miss this article from ShMadrid where we’ll be telling you about all the best ski slopes in the Comunidad de Madrid.
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A day on the slopes in Madrid
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The closest ski resort to Madrid is going to be Navacerrada, located at Dos Castillas, 3. Puerto de Navacerrada – 28470 Cercedilla, Madrid. Settled in the Sierra de Guadarrama is a small mountain town at an altitude of 1,850 to 2,262 meters. This ski spot has different areas to check out: the highest altitude areas offer medium-high level slopes while the lower-altitude spots have medium and beginner-level hills. The area is open for skiing from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also offer different activities for housing and relaxing during your ski trip, and the area’s prime location allows for other outdoor activities such as hiking. Another ski resort option around Madrid is the ski resort La Pinilla (Segovia), located in the Sierra de Ayllón. A little over an hour away from Madrid by car, this ski resort offers four different free parking areas and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ski lifts running until 4:30 p.m. There are runs for all levels of skiers, equipment available for rent as well as a ski school for kids and classes for beginners. For those looking to stay a couple of days, there is lodging and a number of restaurants to enjoy.
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Valdesquí ski resort is another ski option also located in the Guadarrama mountains (Puerto de Cotos Carretera, s/n, 28740 Rascafría, Madrid) that also just happens to be the largest and most frequented near Madrid. There are ski runs for all levels and a wide array of services including equipment rental and repair, ski schools, restaurants, lodging, luggage rooms, training tracks and minibike tracks. However, ski slopes aren’t the only must-see at Valdesquí – the area is also known for the best snowpark in the central system. Also in the Sierra de Guadarrama is the cross-country skiing area, the Centro de Esquí Nórdico Navafría (km 11, SG-612, 40162 Aldealengua de Pedraza, Segovia). This nordic ski spot was inaugurated in 2007 and is open from mid-November to mid-April from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all services available. At the Madrid Xanadú shopping center (Autovía de Extremadura (A-5) salidas 22 y 25) you’ll find the only covered ski park in Spain. The Xanadú Snow Zone offers almost 20,000 square meters of snow to enjoy, with a large run for experts and a smaller run for those who are just starting out. The Xanadú Snow Zone is open 365 days a year from 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and during the high season.
Are you all geared up for ski season?
