History of Sierra Nevada Ski

Wall of fame at the Vincci Selección Rumaykiyya Hotel © Michelle Chaplow
Wall of fame at the Vincci Selección Rumaykiyya Hotel

History of Sierra Nevada Ski

Today the Sierra Nevada ski resort is a thriving centre of activity, but little over a century or so ago, it was nothing more than an isolated area within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

According to official sources at Cetursa, the organisation that runs the ski station, the idea of building a resort in the area was first suggested in the late 19th century by the Spanish consul in Helsinki, Angel Ganivet, who came from Granada.

Living in a ski-loving, snow-filled culture inspired this diplomat and writer to suggest that a "Finnish Granada" should be created, so that people could enjoy similar sporting fun in his own nearby mountains.

 

 

In 1898 a group was formed called "Diez Amigos Limited" (Ten Friends Limited), made up of writers and artists who wanted to go mountain climbing. Renamed Sociedad Sierra Nevada (Sierra Nevada Society), they built the first mountain refuge in 1912, and skiing in Sierra Nevada started. Not long after, in 1914, Spain’s National Sport Week was celebrated there. This event marked the beginning of a long history of important competitions which have contributed to the ski station’s present-day prestige.

These are the main events since Sierra Nevada made its first big splash in the sports scene:

1914 - National Sports Week
1932 - Hispano Andorrano Competition
1940 - Spanish Alpine Championships
1941 - National Alpine Ski Trials
1943 - National Alpine Ski Trials
1945 - National Alpine Ski Trials
1956 - International Sports Week (through 1966)
1975 - European Women’s Alpine Ski Cup
1976 - VII Eurosport Alpine Ski Trophy
1977 - Men’s and Women’s World Alpine Ski Finals Cup
1986 - International Ardilla Children’s Alpine Trophy (to 1992)
1990 - Men’s and Women’s World Alpine Ski Finals Cup
1993 - Men’s World Alpine Ski Finals Cup
1994 - Women’s World Alpine Ski Finals Cup
1996 - World Alpine Ski Championships
1998 - European Men’s Alpine Cup
1999 - World Alpine Final Cup
2003 - Women’s World Cup
2004 - European Alpine Ski Final Cup
2005 - Nokia World Snowboard FIS Cup
2006 - World Ski Cross Cup
2007 - Women’s World Alpine Ski Cup
2008 - World Ski Cross Cup
2009 - European Ski Cross Cup
2010 - World Freestyle Cup
2012 - World Junior Snowboarding Championships
2013 - Freestyle and Snowboard Cup Superfinal
2014 - World School Championships
2015 - Winter University Championships
2016 - World Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Championships
2018 - Spanish Championships Alpine Absolutos FIS
2019 - Copa de España and Copa de Andalucía Cronoescalada
2020 - Campeonato de España y Andalucia Freestyle Baches
2022/2023 - Snowboard Cross World Cup.
An early snowfall on 30 September 2022 left a layer of snow on the Sierra Nevada above 2,600m. However due to sunny and warm conditions, the following day the snow did not remain. The season was due to open on 26 November 2022, but the official inauguration was postponed until 3 December 2022. In the spring of 2023 the natural snow line was above Borriguiles at 2,750m, extensive use of the snow cannons was required to keep the resort open.

2023/2024 Sierra Nevada ski runs opened on the 13th December 2024 two weeks after the official opening of the resort on 30th Novemmber 2025. On the opening ski weekend there was access for 3,500 skiers or snowboarders to 8 ski runs totalling 5.6km. These opened thanks to snowfall in the previous week and low temperatures enabling the snow cannons to operate. Ski mountaineering was not allowed on the El Río piste.

The snow activities for tourists, which had been operating next to the Borreguiles, were moved to the Mirlo Blanco complex in Pradollano. The Parador chairlift, which runs through the Pradollano development, stared operating on the 14th December 2024.

Earlier in the year a light snowfall overnight on 14/15 October 2024 left a thin, patchy layer of snow on the Sierra Nevada above 2,900m. A heavier snowfall overnight on 28/29 October 2024 left a 15cm layer of snow on the Sierra Nevada above 2,900m. The storm that swept Andalucia on 13th November also left snowfall on Sierra Nevada above 2.400m, but not as much as expected due to ‘very strong wind with gusts of 100 km/h'. Snow machines were only able to compact snow on the beginners' area and drag snow from the snowdrifts.

Work began on 4 November 2024 to collect snow from the La Valeta road and stockpile it near the ridges of the ski slopes for maintenance during the season. The snow cannons have not yet been employed. Minimum overnight temperatures in Pradolano are around 4 degrees C and generally need to be below freezing for the snow cannons to operate.

Sierra Nevada News

Ski Station News 2020/21
Ski Station News 2019/20
Ski Station News 2018/19
Ski Station News 2017
Ski Station News 2016
Ski Station News 2015
Ski Station News 2014
Ski Station News 2013
Ski Station News 2012
Ski Station News 2011
Ski Station News 2010
Ski Station News 2009
Ski Station News 2008
Ski Station News 2007
Ski Station News 2006

Sierra Nevada Season Report

Season Report 2018/19
Season Report 2017/18
Season Report 2016/17
Season Report 2015/16
Season Report 2014/15
Season Report 2013/14

See and Do

Living in Andalucia