The Sierra Nevada mountain range in Andalucia is the most southern ski resort in Europe. The village Pradollano, at the foot of the lifts is mainly composed of hotels and apartments for rent. The resort has numerous runs of varying difficulties to satisfy all skiing levels.

Facilities at the resort include more than 40 miles of runs, two cross-country skiing circuits, two cabin lifts, 12 chair lifts and 5 T-bar lifts, capable of transporting 32,000 skiers an hour. Try to avoid the weekends as it will be pretty crowded.

Two hundred and fifty snow canons ensure consistently good skiing. The Andalusian winter resort was also among the first to spot the potential of snowboarding, and is a favourite among those who practice the world's fastest growing snow sport.

There is a surprisingly active nightlife in Pradollano. Most of the visitors come from Madrid and the cities of Andalucia; weekends and bank holidays are particularly busy. Among the international tourists, the Portuguese are probably those who visit the resort most.

The skiing season is between December and April. The access roads are very good, as Sierra Nevada hosted the 1996 World Ski Championships.

There are plenty of Skiing and Snowboarding schools that rent gear for fairly reasonable prices and that conduct courses in both disciplines privately or for groups.

The resort is only a 3-4 hour drive from Tarifa.