The Central System of Spain includes the autonomous communities of Madrid, Salamanca, Segovia and the southern part of the community of Castilla y Leon. Apart from the increasingly improved facilities that are now being built in all these ski stations, all of these communities offer the visitor an unparalleled glimpse of a Spain that is only now being brought into the light. There are a bewildering number of activities on offer, the cuisine is unrivalled, and the sheer number of beautifully preserved ancient monuments is enough to keep even the most demanding historian happy for decades. All of this and some world class skiing facilities that ensure that any visit will probably have to be repeated.
Ski Resorts in Madrid
Navacerrada
Being only 60 kilometres from the capital of Spain has its disadvantages. The most obvious one, and one the drives most people away, is that the resort is open to more than 4 million people, many of whom enjoy the thrill of the slopes and who seek a quick weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city. At the height of the season, they are invariably under a delusion because everyone thinks the same and, when several thousand people converge on the area at once, the inadequacies of the traffic management systems are immediately obvious.
KEY INFORMATION:
Elevation: Minimum – 1,375 metres, Maximum – 1,870 metres.
Number of slopes: 16
Skiable slopes: 11 kilometres
Number of schools: 4
More information: www.puertonavacerrada.com
Ski Resorts in Castilla y Leon
Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla
Located in the heights of the Sierra de Béjar is the ski resort of Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla. A small resort that offers 6 slopes for all of levels skiers, this site opened its doors within the last two years and boasts some of the most modern facilities to make any stay here more productive. The resort has fabulous communications with Madrid by motorway – only two and a half hours away, Salamanca, Avila and Plasencia are all less than and hour away.
KEY INFORMATION:
Elevation: Minimum – 1,990 metres, Maximum – 2,277 metres.
Number of slopes: 8
Skiable slopes: 8.37 kilometres
Number of schools: 1
More information: www.sierradebejar-lacovatilla.com
La Pinilla
The ski station of La Pinilla, also located very close to the Spanish capital, is located in the southern part of Castilla y Leon. A modern station with plenty of facilities it vies for the position as being classified as the best one in the central Iberian system of ski resorts. KEY INFORMATION: Elevation: Minimum – 1,990 metres, Maximum – 2,277 metres.
Number of slopes: 21
Skiable slopes: 8.37 kilometres
Number of schools: 2
More information: www.lapinilla.es
Valdeski For those who seek quality of service and a large number of slopes on which to ski, Valdeski is probably the resort. Although it has a reputation of being the most expensive ski resort in Spain it is always full at the weekends with large queues trailing behind all the ski lifts and people movers. Located on the boundary of the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, the resort has views that stretch out across the Spanish plains
KEY INFORMATION:
Elevation: Minimum – 1,860 metres, Maximum – 2,270 metres.
Number of slopes: 27
Ski lifts/people movers: 15
Number of schools: Yes
More information: www.valdesqui.com
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