Skiing in Madrid

Yes, you did read the title correctly! You'd never think that in a city which experiences such hot summers (up to 40C+), that you'd be able to find a ski resort within an hour. Heading out to Navacerrada, north of Madrid, you will find ski stations which the king of Spain often frequents. You can get to Navacerrada by Cercanías trains. At weekends, and on public holidays, the roads and ski stations are full of Madrileños taking an opportunity to get out of the city to ski and breath fresh mountain air.

To check weather reports for the area, take a look at one of my previous articles.

There is also a lovely town in this area called Cercedilla, from where you can do some wonderful walks - walking in this area when it is covered in snow is quite breathtaking. You may also want to take a look at the Valdesqui website.

Should you wish to stay closer to the capital, and ski indoors, then you should head off for Parque de Nieve (Snow Park) in the south of the city. This place has a ski slope of 250 metres and is open all year round. You can get there by catching the buses 496, 498, 524, 528 from Príncipe Pío (see Metro).

It is actually situated within a shopping centre complex and there are many shops, bars and restaurants. Here is a list of admission prices and equipment prices. If you don't understand Spanish, here is a quick guide: botas - boots; chaqueta - jacket; pantalón - trousers; guantes - gloves.

If you would like to book accomodation near the ski slopes, here are two recomendations:

The Hotel Husa Arcipreste de Hita is a 4-star hotel in Navacerrada, which has a good few ski slopes located nearby. It's location means it is situated between both Madrid and Segovia.

The Hotel La Barranca is a 3-star hotel in Navacerrada.

Comments

[Kasie Jo Howe]

Hi i´m just inquiring about skiing around xmas time, I live in Alpedrete not far from Cercedilla. Am just enquiring do you think there will be snow in Navarcerada? also do you know if the Renfe trains will be working so we can get there on boxing day?? I´m just not sure what to expect. Thank you.

[Kasie Jo Howe]

Hi i´m just inquiring about skiing around xmas time, I live in Alpedrete not far from Cercedilla. Am just enquiring do you think there will be snow in Navarcerada? also do you know if the Renfe trains will be working so we can get there on boxing day?? I´m just not sure what to expect. Thank you.

[Alun John]

Hi Kaise

I have just checked on the Renfe Cercanias site and it doesn't hold information after the 24th December - though trains are running all that day. Here is the link:http://www.renfe.es/cercanias/madrid/index_horarios.html

I would suggest periodically checking this information. In order to get to Cotos you will need to get the train from Alpedrete to Cercedilla, change and catch the train which goes to Cotos, making sure that you get off in Puerto de Navacerrada. As to whether there'll be snow - who knows? There was last year and the year before, if I'm correct.

[Rachael]

hi i was just wondering how far valdesqui is from madrid (in miles). I am staying at the Westin Palace Hotel and i would like to go to valdesqui, and i need to know about how far it is from there so i will know if i need to rent a car or not...

if you could please get back to me a.s.a.p

thanks

[Alun John]

Hi Rachael

Your're looking at about 50 minutes to an hour by car. If you're going by car I would recommend leaving around 6.30am to beat the traffic which heads out there.