The Sierra Nevada ski area includes 112.5 kilometres of skiable terrain across 134 pistes. At 1,200 metres, it has Spain’s greatest vertical drop available for skiing; these figures may change from one season to the next. Part of the ski area, including the facilities or complexes at Pradollano and Borreguiles, lies within the municipality of Monachil.

Winter sports for different interests

The Borreguiles area has beginner slopes recommended for people skiing for the first time. The specific slopes available may vary from season to season. Snowpark Sulayr is a freestyle area for snowboarders and freestyle skiers; its seasonal operation may also vary. The ski area also has a cross-country ski trail or course, whose seasonal availability you should check in advance. These options cater to different activities: beginner slopes, freestyle and cross-country skiing each offer a different focus for your day on the slopes.

Summer lifts and hiking routes

In summer 2026, a cable car and a chairlift connected Pradollano, at an altitude of 2,100 metres, with an area near the summit of Veleta at around 3,000 metres. Seasonal dates and the lifts in operation may change.

A guided route runs from Borreguiles via Laguna de las Yeguas to Lagunillos de la Virgen, passing through particularly interesting areas around the resort. This offer is seasonal. Another separate guided route starts at the upper station of the Veleta chairlift and descends towards Laguna de las Yeguas. Its average gradient is 11 percent; the route may be adapted to seasonal conditions. There are also unguided hiking routes where you can freely explore the mountain landscape of Sierra Nevada. Check availability and conditions before setting out.

History and a festive day

Sierra Nevada has been a natural park since 1989 and a national park since 1999. An annual tradition is the Festival of the Virgen de las Nieves on 5 August. Its main event is a night pilgrimage from Pradollano to the Tajos de la Virgen at the foot of Veleta; the route passes through Borreguiles. Devotion to the Virgen de las Nieves in the municipality of Monachil dates back to the 16th century.

Sierra Nevada also has a long history of winter sports, beginning with the founding of the Diez Amigos Limited company in 1898. In 1912, Diez Amigos Limited became Sociedad Sierra Nevada, which is considered a pioneer of winter sports in Andalusia.

More pages about the destination

Sierra Nevada potatoes of the “copo de nieve” variety were traditionally grown in the Pradollano area. They were stored in pits lined with slate and covered with straw, rye stalks, sticks and earth. The pits and the threshing floor at Prado Redondo can still be seen.

Mirlo Blanco is an amusement park at the bottom of the El Río slope, a few metres from the Pradollano resort. Its operating periods may change. Trineo Mirlo is a sled ride on rails through the high-mountain landscape. Tickets for Mirlo Blanco activities and Trineo Mirlo are available online or from the ticket machines in the Mirlo Blanco area; purchase options may change.

The Montebajo sports club in the centre of Pradollano has a heated swimming pool with a retractable roof. Opening dates may vary by season.

When choosing when to travel, compare the seasonal highlights: in winter, skiing, freestyle and cross-country skiing take centre stage; in summer, it’s high-altitude access and hiking routes.

Discover more destinations: Vegas Del Genil.

Go to the main travel overview: Monachil.