As soon as the temperature starts to drop, you find yourself thinking about Sierra Nevada and the excitement you feel whenever ski season is just around the corner. We’re not surprised: its 134 pistes promise endless fun. So, to make sure the only thing you need to check is the weather forecast, we’ve put together this guide for you. That way, when you head to Sierra Nevada, you won’t have to worry about the logistics.

More than 110 kilometres of pistes. It may be easy to say, but that’s a lot of ground to cover. So much so that Sierra Nevada even has pistes where you can enjoy night skiing, such as Maribel and El Río, whenever the resort schedules this activity and snow conditions allow. The ski area is divided into nine zones, and in Loma Dílar you’ll find pistes for all abilities. In fact, this is also where the snow park is located, packed with rails and other features where you can put your tricks to the test.

Skiing isn’t the only way to enjoy Sierra Nevada and its surroundings. You could, for example, explore the area on snowshoes. Numerous companies organise guided excursions. We won’t recommend any specific routes, as itineraries depend on the amount of snow and the weather conditions. What we can say is that there are options for all abilities, excursions at special times of day, such as sunset, and routes designed to take you through untouched landscapes.

If walking is more your thing, you’ll no doubt be intrigued by La Alpujarra’s network of trails, stretching out from the southern foothills of Sierra Nevada. There are countless paths to explore, but the Poqueira Gorge is particularly well known. It takes you deep into the area’s wild natural landscapes and offers a glimpse into its unique character through the villages along the way. Its circular route passes through Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira, with no shortage of viewpoints from which to admire Mulhacén, the highest peak on the Iberian Peninsula.

You’ll be pleased to hear that Granada’s cuisine is full of hearty dishes. A local favourite is olla de San Antón, a warming stew traditionally enjoyed in January and early February, particularly around 17 January, when the feast of San Antón is celebrated. Other specialities include migas, served with pieces of crispy pork belly, garlic and the occasional grape to balance out the rich flavours, and the plato alpujarreño, made with pan-fried potatoes and onions, chorizo, black pudding, fried eggs, pork loin and cured ham.

You’ll be able to enjoy these delicacies in some of the restaurants near the pistes. Take a look around and browse their menus. You’ll find plenty of hearty, traditional home cooking. There are also restaurants with international influences, although you can almost always expect to find at least one local dish on the menu.

Under normal traffic conditions, Sierra Nevada is around a 45-minute drive from central Granada via the A-395. The journey may take longer depending on traffic and weather conditions. And let’s be honest, it would be a shame to miss out on a visit to the city.

Irresistibly charming and boasting a wealth of heritage that deserves at least a few hours of your time, Granada is also home to Sercotel Palacio de los Gamboa, a centrally located hotel with everything close at hand. If you’re travelling with friends or family and would prefer an apartment where you can spend more time together, you’ll be pleased to know that the apartments at Sercotel Granada Suites are fully equipped with everything you need to feel right at home from the moment you arrive. If you prefer a contemporary-style hotel, you can opt for Sercotel HMO Martina, also located in central Granada and featuring a panoramic rooftop where you can take in the views over the city.