Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Sierra Nevada
Whenever any discussion turns to the Costa del Sol’s diverse attractions, its strategic location invariably figures high on most people’s lists. Apart from its exceptional convenience as a transport hub for travellers from throughout Europe (as well as major destinations around the world) and its incomparable Mediterranean setting, the Coast also rates highly as a key vantage point for residents and visitors alike who want to visit other parts of Andalucía, and indeed the rest of Spain.
One of these popular “nearby” areas is the Sierra Nevada Ski and Mountains Resort in neighbouring Granada province – with part of the resort located in a national park and biosphere reserve. As is often pointed out, a family can be enjoying breakfast on a sunny Costa beach one moment and, after a two-hour drive, be sitting down to lunch on a snow-capped hillside in Sierra Nevada, preparing for an afternoon of skiing, snowboarding, cross-country trekking or simply savouring the pristine ambience.
It may seem slightly incongruous to be talking about snow and skiing in mid-October, while many of us are still in our short-sleeved shirts and blouses (at least during the day) but, as far back as late September, snow was already falling on parts of Sierra Nevada – Europe’s southern-most ski station and the highest in Spain.
Local tourist authorities and operators in the area have also announced a series of attractive travel packages for those booking holidays or visits in advance of the main season, which runs from late November to early May (with the exact official dates depending on climatic conditions closer to the time).
In fact, for those wanting to experience the resort’s charms before “hardcore” skiing enthusiasts arrive, and who aren’t necessarily all that fussed about strapping on some skis or hurtling down the slopes on a snowboard, now is arguably the best (and certainly more tranquil) time to check out the area’s many other leisure and culinary attractions and activities, including souvenir shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs. Maybe even venture onto one of the gentler pistes for a beginner’s lesson – there are 400 snowboard and ski teachers and 15 ski schools at the resort.
Granada city is a short 30-kilometre drive down the hill from the mountain range (a journey that is also far less treacherous and bottlenecked in October than during the main season), the ideal place to enjoy a traditional Andalucian meal or tapas before returning home.
Back at Sierra Nevada… the resort is located at 2,100 metres and the top station, Veleta, is at 3,300 metres. There are a total of 120 runs, ranging from “very easy” Green to “very difficult” Black, with El Águila the longest at 6.253 kilometres. A total of 21 lifts can transport over 45,000 skiers an hour, and 350 canons are available for use when the snow conditions are inadequate.
Après ski, visitors can climb to the Veneta peak in a snow machine to watch a memorable sunset; night skiing and snowboarding is available under the stars on illuminated slopes; the more adventurous can go tandem paragliding; and the younger ones can enjoy all the fun of the Mirlo Blanco amusement park, with its magic carpet, two 130-metre toboggan runs, sit-skiing, skate-skiing, ski-bobbing and the Russian Sleigh.
Not that Sierra Nevada is limited to amateur enthusiasts and snow-lovers. The resort hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in 1996 and is an occasional venue for World Cup races, while the Winter Universiade (world university games) were held there last year.
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IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.[/caption]
From one Sierra to another Sierra... well, with some marked differences. Our featured property this issue is located in the Sierra Blanca urbanisation in one of Marbella’s most exclusive residential areas. You won’t find the estate covered in a blanket of snow this winter, but the peaceful natural surroundings are stunning in their own way, with tree-lined streets, verdant landscaped gardens and spacious mansions, all safely tucked away in the 24-hour security of a gated community. This seven-bedroom villa (priced at a reduced €2,450,000) is a magnificent family home, extending over 633 square metres of built area on 1,135 square metre plot.
Special Selections
We appreciate your taking the time to read about this outstanding property, but perhaps it is not exactly right for you? If not, we invite you to have a look at our other special selections for:
La Zagaleta,
Luxury Villas,
Golf Properties,
Seafront Properties,
Apartments and
Special Offers. Click on the category of your choice and follow the link. Also please feel free to roam around our website:
www.villamarbellanow.com.
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IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.[/caption]
From one Sierra to another Sierra... well, with some marked differences. Our featured property this issue is located in the Sierra Blanca urbanisation in one of Marbella’s most exclusive residential areas. You won’t find the estate covered in a blanket of snow this winter, but the peaceful natural surroundings are stunning in their own way, with tree-lined streets, verdant landscaped gardens and spacious mansions, all safely tucked away in the 24-hour security of a gated community. This seven-bedroom villa (priced at a reduced €2,450,000) is a magnificent family home, extending over 633 square metres of built area on 1,135 square metre plot.
Special Selections
We appreciate your taking the time to read about this outstanding property, but perhaps it is not exactly right for you? If not, we invite you to have a look at our other special selections for: La Zagaleta, Luxury Villas, Golf Properties, Seafront Properties, Apartments and Special Offers. Click on the category of your choice and follow the link. Also please feel free to roam around our website: www.villamarbellanow.com.