Sierra Nevada first to open in Pyrenees

8th December 2011 | Alicia Taylor, Editor

News Regions: Granada

Resorts in this article: Alto Campoo, Arinsal, Baqueira - Beret, Candanchú, Canillo, Cerler, Encamp, Espot Esquí, Fórmigal, La Molina, Masella, Vallnord / Arcalís, Vallnord / Pal-Arinsal, Pas de la Casa / Grau Roig, Sierra de Béjar - La Covatilla, Sierra Nevada, Soldeu - El Tarter, Valdesqui, Vall de Núria, Vallter 2000

Sierra Nevada was the first resort to open in the Pyrenees.

The Spanish ski resort, popular for its sunny slopes, kicked off the season two weeks ago (Nov. 26) thanks to a mixture of artificial and fresh snow. Sierra Nevada opened with 26 kilometres of terrain - well above the average for recent years.

Current conditions in Sierra Nevada: 15 open lifts serving 35 kilometres of terrain and 100cm snow on upper slopes, 20cm on lower slopes.

Cerler opened last week with 12 kilometres of terrain and three lifts running; 60cm snow on upper slopes, 20cm on middle slopes. Other open resorts include Sierra de Bejar-La Covatilla and Vall de Nuria.

Spanish ski resorts still awaiting for snow include Alto Campoo, Baqueira Beret, Boi Taull, Candanchu, Espot Esqui, Formigal, La Molina, Masella, Valdesqui and Vallter 2000.

In Andorra, Ordino-Arcalis has 12 slopes/15 lifts open and 40cm snow on upper slopes. Arinsal, Pal, Canillo, El Tarter-Soldeu, Encamp, Grau Roig-Pas de la Casa remain closed, awaiting snowfall.