SIERRA NEVADA The Sierra Nevada ski resort is situated in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, located between the provinces of Granada and Almeria, in which are the highest peaks on the Iberian Peninsula, such as Mulhacén (with a peak of 3482 metres) and Veleta (3392 metres). They are only beaten by the Alps. The area covers a total of 86208 hectares packed with natural, cultural and historical wealth. The Tartessians, the Romans, and the Visigoths have crossed these lands (making it the Alpujarra meeting point), although it was the Arabs who left the biggest legacy, with innumerable irrigation channels and sophisticated irrigation techniques that collected meltwaters and frost. The Sierra Nevada ski resort and mountain is located 32 kilometres from Granada to the north of the A-395 national highway, and more specifically, in the mountains of the towns Monachil and Dilar. Being 165 kilometres from Almeria, 161 from Cordoba, 127 from Malaga, and 422 from Madrid, makes Sierra Nevada ski resort and mountain range a perfect place for practising snow sports and, at the same time, the perfect combination to enjoy other cities and coastal regions. Perhaps the amount of hours of sun that the Sierra Nevada ski resort enjoys is one of the main draws to the resort, given that is not possible to enjoy in any other resort other than Sierra Nevada. How to get to Sierra Nevada There are different ways of getting to Sierra Nevada. If you are travelling by public transport, the first thing to do is get to the city of Granada, whether it be by bus, train or aeroplane. All of these are connected (by public transport, and by bus) with the Granada bus station which is situated in the outskirts, on the road to Jaen. There you will be able to take the “Autocares Bonal” - a transport company – from Granada to the Sierra Nevada ski resort. You can also take the regular bus line number 41, which runs continuously all season, facilitating access at various points in the residential area of Pradollano, such as the car park at Peñones, the highest point of Pradollano. The ticket price for travel between Granada and the Sierra Nevada resort is 2.20€, and the times are as follows: • From Granada bus station to Sierra Nevada ski resort: • Monday - Friday; 08:00 // 10:00 // 17:00 • Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00 // 10:00 // 15:00 // 17:00 • From Sierra Nevada ski resort (Plaza Andalucía), to Granada bus station: • Monday - Friday; 09:00 // 16:00 // 18:30 • Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 // 13:00 // 16:00 // 18:30 The journey is about a duration of 40 minutes, and it is recommended to have the exact money for the tickets before getting on the bus, and to also be punctual. In the case of missing a bus, or you are travelling outwith these hours, the only possible way to arrive at Sierra Nevada, or at Granada, by public transport would be by taxi. With prices varying dependant upon where you leave from, the time (day or night), and the day (holiday, weekend or weekday). Said prices can vary between 55€, and 75€. If you are travelling in your own vehicle, it\'s much easier, giving the good signposting at all access points, and being free of time restrictions. Don\'t forget that it is necessary to take chains in your vehicle for your visit in winter to the Sierra Nevada ski resort, given that they may be needed, both in the surroundings of the resort and in the resort itself. Buying chains there is easy, but remember that the price can vary considerably. So what we recommend, is already having them in your car. The route is very simple: once you find yourself driving on the “Autovía de Sierra Nevada” (the Sierra Nevada motorway) as it was called years ago, or what is now called the A-44 after the name change, you will see numerous signs that indicate the ascent to the ski resort. It\'s very easy and given that the ski resort is the only one in the South of Spain, it\'s even more simple. If, in the past, you have travelled through the Pyrenees, you will know that the numerous signs to ski resorts confuse you with the sheer number of resorts there, but this doesn\'t happen in the Sierra Nevada. It\'s very easy to combine public transport, by means of train, bus or aeroplane, with hiring a car from the offices situated in one of these locations, although we recommend that you reserve your car sufficient time before your arrival, therefore you will be able to get the best price and range of choice of cars. Equally, you can request to rent chains, for a modest additional price, at the time of picking-up the car. Car parks at Sierra Nevada Once you have reached kilometre 32 of the A-395, that is no more than the ascent to the Sierra Nevada from Granada, you will have various options for parking your car. The Sierra Nevada resort has a total of 5 car parks. Not all of them are for the use of cars. Car Park Km31, this car park is located 10 minutes walk from the ski-lifts, or one kilometre away. In the urban area of Pradollano, there are 120 spaces and it is monitored from 8am to 6pm. It costs 5€ a day, per vehicle. Los Peñones Car Park, this car park is located at the highest point of Pradollano. Once you reach kilometre 3, you should turn left in the direction of CAR (Centro de Alto Rendimiento), taking the Pradollano ring road, and you will arrive at the highest point (which is clearly indicated) which has signs indicating: Parking de los Peñones (Peñones Car Park), Telesilla Parador (Parador cable car), Telesilla Virgen de las Nieves (Virgen de las Nieves cable car). Los Peñones car park has a price of 5 € a day, per vehicle, and it is more practical as it has a WC, ski pass ticket offices, bus stop, newstand, and access to the Virgen de las Nieves cable car, which will take you directly to the pistes, and the Parador cable car, which will take you to the centre of the urban area. Plaza Andalucia Car Park, this car park is situated below the Plaza Andalucia and several hotels, such as the Hotel Melia Sol Y Nieve, the Monachil Apartments, or the Hotel Ziryab and Hotel Telecabina. In contrast to the Parking Km31 and Los Peñones, the Plaza Andalucia car park is covered. It also has cash machines on each floors so you can pay for your ticket. The daily prices are 19€ during peak season, 17€ mid-season, and 15€ during the low season, calculating the times by minute. If you are a skier, remember to go to the manned cash desk and present your ski pass, and they will supply you with the “skier ticket”, at a total cost of 15€ a day. This car park is easier and more practical to use, especially for the days of heavy snow, given that the car will be covered you will avoid possible blockages or various other problems that the snow can cause. When you are returning to your car, remember that the Plaza Andalucia car park has floor floors: -1 is for homeowners, -2 is for permit holders, and -3 and -4 are for the use of the general public. It is assured, if you don\'t pay attention, you will think that you have not gone down enough floors and you can end up looking for your car on the wrong floor, which can be confusing given that there are colours, but no numbers, to differentiate the parking spaces. Bus Car Park, this car park is situated just next to the Plaza Andalucia car park, at the entrance to the Sierra Nevada resort once you pass the Km 31 junction. The car park is spacious, outdoors, and has various access points to the Plaza Andalucia, the nerve centre of the Sierra Nevada. Mobile Homes Car Park, this car park is situated right next next to the Peñones car park, and costs 15€ a day for mobile homes. Bear in mind that it does not accept towed caravans, only motor homes. Also, there are different available services: drinking water, electricity outlets, grey water draining service, and there is also access to the Virgen de las Nieves cable car which is equivalent to direct access to the pistes. Remember, that parking on the streets is strictly prohibited, and that every now and again, the Pradollano tow truck is usually very effective. Also remember that the direction of travel is one-way in the residential area, with a circular route between the Sierra Nevada ring road – the high point of the resort where various apartment complexes and the Hotel Vincci Rumaykyya are located – and then down to the Calle Virgen de las Nieves – passing by the Hotel Monachil, the Monte Gorbea aparments,the Hotel Kenia Nevada, and finishing at the Hotel Melia Sierra Nevada which is located at the entrance to the Plaza Andalucia. The rest of the hotels are in this area, such as the Hotel Ziryab, the Hotel Telecabina, the Monachil Apartments, and the Hotel Melia Sol Y Nieve, and last but not least, the Hotel Mont Blanc, almost at the end of the urban area, and only metres from the Plaza Andalucia, which takes you once again to the Sierra Nevada ring road. Nurseries at Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada ski resort has different childcare services at the disposition of the youngest visitors, for the ease of parents.