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Ski slopes usually close at around 5 PM, and this is when the best après-ski begins, with plenty of time left in the day to enjoy your holiday to the snow, whether it be going out for drinks, relaxing, lounging in a spa, or sightseeing in the surrounding area.
But how about skiing even when night has fallen? Some ski resorts offer this experience on specific slopes, lighting them up for a few hours to give you a unique experience. Whizzing down slopes under a starry sky (thanks to the minimal light pollution in high mountains, you can see many stars) is truly magical.
Skiing was first introduced in 1936 in the United States, when gas lights were installed at the Bousquets Ski Area in Massachusetts, other ski resorts in the Alps and the United States followed suit.
Sierra Nevada in Granada, was the first ski resort in Spain to offer night skiing in December 1994. Since it first opened, the El Rio slope offered night skiing to all skiers who wanted some twilight fun. Twenty years later, in 2015, Sierra Nevada opened another slope for night skiing, Maribel. Combined, they offer 5.8 kilometres of different night skiing experience. Want to know a bit more about night skiing in Sierra Nevada? Keep on reading!
Sierra Nevada Ski Resort
Plan now your ski holiday in Sierra Nevada!
Night skiing is not available throughout the entire season in Sierra Nevada. Depending on the year and weather conditions, it is typically available on Thursday and Saturday evenings from 7 PM to 10 PM, with the last ride up on the Al Ándalus cable car at 9.30 PM. Here are the details on each slope:
This was the first slope to open and is the longest, with 3.3 kilometres and a drop of 600 metres. During the day, this is the most popular trail because it leads to the base of the Sierra Nevada ski resort, so it can be quite crowded during peak hours. It starts at an altitude of 2,681 metres and descends to 2,149 metres. It's rated as blue, meaning it is ideal for almost all skiers. This slope has the largest surface area of artificially produced snow, ensuring its conditions even if the weather is not ideal. At night, El Rio is illuminated by 35 small lights, giving the descent a charming touch and providing the necessary visibility to avoid accidents.
This slope is 2.5 kilometres long and runs parallel to the El Rio slope. It has a drop of 360 metres. It is also rated as blue, but is even easier than the aforementioned slope. This doesn't take away from the fun. It's ideal for beginners and still entertaining for experienced skiers.
Night skiing significantly reduces the skiable area; while the resort typically has over 111 kilometres and up to 133 slopes, when darkness falls, it is reduced to two (the El Rio and Maribel slopes as we've seen). However, there are still many benefits to night skiing in Sierra Nevada, including less crowded slopes, a unique experience under the stars, and a more intimate atmosphere. Moreover, prices are significantly reduced in comparison to the day pass, with prices ranging between 13 and 20 euros.
Now you know more about night skiing in Sierra Nevada, we invite you to try this amazing activity while on your ski holiday. Need to book it? Find the best ski deals at Esquiades.com!
