Madrid – Escape to the Snow
3 Ski Resorts Within Easy Striking Distance of the Capital
Winter is very much here and what better way to spend a day or two out of the city than skiing at one of the three closest resorts to Madrid? These may not compare to the long-established ski resorts of the Alps and the Pyrenes but they have developed over the years and offer a good variety of slopes and facilities with skiing and snowboarding just a hop skip and a jump from the city.
Navacerrada
This is one of three alpine ski resorts within the Central System not far from Madrid. The resort at 1,858 m above sea level is situated on a mountain separating the provinces of Madrid and Segovia within the Sierra de Guadarrama where the highest peak of Guarramillas reaches a height of 2,170 m.
Navacerrada is the pioneering ski resort for people living in Madrid as it is the closest (60 km) to the city and just 28km from Segovia. The resort is an easy drive or coach ride from the city and there is also a railway station in the ski village.
There are a number of hotels and hostels in the resort as well as some well-known restaurants and cafés, all of which are just moments from the railway station in the heart of the Sierra del Gaudarrama. Skiing and snowboarding equipment are readily available for rent and there are plenty of schools to choose from for beginners and those with more experience.
A particular attraction of Navacerrada is its woodland surroundings and wonderful view across the two nearby plateaus. Prices are reasonable and access is excellent.
Valdesquí
This resort is situated on the north face of the Central System and was inaugurated in 1972. It is some 70km from Madrid as is the most favoured of the Madrid ski resorts. Access by car, coach and train is excellent. Weekends are however best avoided at Valdesquí as the slopes become somewhat chaotic and if driving to the resort it is best to arrive early in the morning to secure a parking space.
The resort covers an area of some 220 hectares with 24 kms of gently undulating ski slopes making this a much-favoured resort for intermediate skiers.
Equipment hire is readily available as are cafés and restaurants with one of these set among the slopes with a large terrace where one can relax and enjoy the scenery.
La Pinilla
La Pinilla resort was inaugurated in 1968 and is in the northeast of the province of Segovia just over one hour from Madrid with easy access from the city.
This resort offers the most alpine like slopes and the pistes are the longest in the whole of the Central System. La Pinilla is an excellent alternative to the busier resorts of Navacerrada and Valdesquí.
La Pinilla is linked to the villages of Riaza and Cerezo de Arriba where there are numerous countryside and cultural attractions to be visited as well as an excellent variety of restaurants to choose from.
The resort offers a little more than 15 kms of green, blue and red pistes for skiers of all proficiencies and has the largest artificial snow making network in the area with 196 snow cannons distributed across some 5 hectares of skiable slopes.
A word of advice. Check the wind conditions before heading off to La Pinilla as some of the slopes are very exposed to the south and south-west winds which make for an uncomfortable ride on the ski chairs.
