A day trip to the mountains from the Costa del Sol

It may seem crazy, but if you holiday on the Costa del Sol over winter, you could easily fit in a day trip to the mountains. We’ve been sipping coffee at a beach bar in the morning and skiing by lunchtime!

The journey from the popular town of Benalmadena up to the Sierra Nevada ski resort is just over two hours by car and coming from Torremolinos it’s under two hours, so it’s a very easy day trip from the Malaga end of the coast.

The resort is open from November or December to April, snow conditions allowing. It is a small but perfectly formed ski resort, with excellent runs for beginners and intermediate skiers, although it is a little limited for advanced skiers. There is also a ski park for those that want to do tricks and a play area with a fun toboggan ride for those that don’t fancy skiing.

Tips for making the most of your mountain day trip

If you are going up for just the one day, we’d recommend avoiding weekends and school holidays. If you do, you can feel like you have the resort to yourself and you’ll avoid queues for lift passes or ski hire.

Head into the main square and there you will find the lift pass station, as well as places to hire ski equipment. Lift passes are between 40€ and 50€ per day and ski hire is around 25€ per day.

If you book a skiing lesson or a guide, they will take care of the passes and lead you to the best areas for your ability, so you don’t have to search around and will be able to maximise your time on the slopes.

Check out the official website of the Sierra Nevada and the British Ski Center for more information and to arrange ski lessons or guides.

Best places to stay if you are taking a day trip to the slopes

To minimise journey time and maximise your winter break, you want to be close to Malaga, in an area which is vibrant all year round, and so our recommendations are Benalmadena and Torremolinos. Both are on the train line into Malaga, so you can go and visit this beautiful city very easily and enjoy all its culture and charm during your holiday.

Torremolinos is slightly closer to Malaga city and is well known for its nightlife and well-kept sandy beaches. We have an excellent holiday rental property in Torremolinos that we would recommend as a base for your winter getaway. It is a beautifully refurbished two bedroom townhouse in Torremolinos  which is just 140 meters from the beach and the famous seaside promenade and there’s even a lift nearby to take you up to the main shopping area in Torremolinos, so it makes getting around really easy. The townhouse itself is comfortable and homely and there’s a smart TV and internet so you can cosy up in the evenings if you don’t want to be out on the town.

Benalmadena has a lot to offer holiday makers on a winter getaway, including a beautiful park, an award-winning port with an aquarium and many bars and restaurants. There’s even the chance to take a cable car to the top of the mountain and watch a bird of prey show. Benalmadena is a very popular holiday destination for families and also for those looking for great nightlife and we have a large selection of holiday rentals there.

For lovers of sea views, we’d recommend this apartment overlooking Torremuelle beach. It is a lovely two-bedroom apartment and is within walking distance of local bars, restaurants and a supermarket and there are some fantastic terraces to enjoy the winter sun and these breath-taking views.

We hope this advice and information helps you to plan your next getaway. Contact us for more recommendations on a winter break to the Costa del Sol.