MADRID – With winter just around the corner, winter sports enthusiasts usually start to get the itch. They are preparing for a new season of snow fun. But, when do the main ski resorts in Spain reopen?
The tops of mountains in the north are already slowly turning white. However, lower slopes are still waiting for the first layer of snow. Normally, Spain’s main ski resorts, including the Pyrenees and Andorra, plan to open at the end of November, a month before the official start of winter.
So some stations have already confirmed their opening date and can be booked for the Christmas holidays. Based on information from the winter sports portal infoieve.es, we give you the opening periods of the ski stations in the Sierra Nevada, the Catalan Pyrenees, the Aragonese Pyrenees, and Andorra.
When to ski in the Sierra Nevada?
Sierra Nevada, known for its impressive and diverse range of accommodations close to or even on the slopes, normally opens on November 25. However, currently it looks like this date will not be met this year. There is not yet a flake of snow and the forecasts for the next two weeks do not indicate a good amount of precipitation.
The proximity to Granada, just a 40-minute drive, and Spain’s highest slopes – up to 3,000 metres high – make Sol y Nieve ski resort a popular winter sports destination in Spain. The season here continues until April 21, 2024. Sometimes if there is enough snow, even until the beginning of May.
Winter sports in the Catalan Pyrenees
In the Catalan part of the Pyrenees, you will find a mix of slopes, suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. With extensive facilities, the stations here open between November 24 and December 2, with closing dates ranging from April 1 to May 1, 2024. These are the opening dates of the main ski resorts in de Catalan Pyrenees:
- Boí Taüll – November 24, 2023 to April 1, 2024
- La Molina – November 25, 2023 to April 1, 2024
- Baqueira Beret – November 25, 2023 to April 9, 2024
- Port Aine – December 1 to April 1, 2024
- Espot – December 1 to April 1, 2024
- Vall de Nuria – December 2 to April 1, 2024
- Masella – Not determined, but closes May 1, 2024
- Tavascan – Not determined yet.
Skiing and snowboarding in the Aragonese Pyrenees
The Aragonese part of the Pyrenees is home to four ski resorts, including Formigal, Panticosa, and Astún Candanchú, which is not only the largest ski resort in Spain but also recently voted Spain’s best ski resort in 2023 by the World Ski Awards. Known for their breathtaking landscapes and excellent facilities, these stations open on December 1st and close on March 31st.
Snow fun in Andorra
Andorra’s ski resorts, including Grandvalira, Ordino Arcalís, and Pal Arinsal, are favourites among international visitors. With top-quality slopes, they open on December 1, and will remain open until April 7, 2024. The opening date of Ski Canaro has yet to be determined.
Snow nowhere yet
It is clear that at this moment (November 14) there is no snow in any Spanish ski area. The areas in Andorra and the Spanish Pyrenees also turn more brown-green than white, except for a patch of snow or powder on the highest peaks here and there. If you would like to occasionally check the snow levels in the various Spanish ski areas, check the webcams of all individual stations via this link.
Also read: Travel Special: Winter sports in Spain
