Madrid can boast about having the ski slopes where the only two Spanish Winter Games medallists learnt their skills: the late Paquito Fernández Ochoa and Blanca Fernández Ochoa, both famous worldwide for being skiing legends. Funnily enough, both started off in the Navacerrada ski resort, located close to Madrid.

 

Getting there is very easy. The Puerto de Navacerrada can be accessed by train from the centre of Madrid. It´s the most comfortable and easy way, and a privilege since the timetables are quite broad, although you can also get there by bus. It has sixteen slopes: a green one, five blue ones, nine red ones and a black one. It has 15 lifts, five of which are chairlifts, three draglifts and a magic carpet for starters. The lowest point is 1760 metres and the maximum one is 2177 metres.

 

Valdesquí, which is close to Navacerrada, is full of snowboard fans with exclusive slopes for them, with some jaw-dropping jumps. This resort is considerably bigger than Navacerrada and has 27 slopes: nine green ones, fifteen blue ones and three red ones. There you can find 22.6 km where you can ski and 14 lifts, of which six are chairlifts, six draflights and two magic carpets for starters. The lowest point is 1860 metres and the maximum one is 2280. This resort is located past the Pass of Nevacerrada.

 

Even if La Pinilla is not physically in Madrid but in Segovia instead, it´s very close to the capital and many tourists and people from Madrid who want to go skiing go there for the day. The size of the resort is very similar to Valdesquí, with 24 slopes: four green ones, six blue ones and thirteen red ones. It has 22 km to ski and twelve lifts: one cable car, three chairlifts, seven chairlifts and two more for starters, a magic carpet and a telebaby. The lowest point is 1500 metres and the maximum around 2273 metres.

 

However, if the weather isn´t good for skiing or you´d prefer to ski outside the skiing season, there are other options. For example, the Madrid SnowZone in the Xanadú Shopping Centre in Arroyomolinos, close to the city of Móstoles. It´s not exactly Ski Dubai of the Emirates Mall but it´s not far off. The best thing about this ´resort´ is that it´s open 365 days a year and that it has two covered slopes with a constant climate of -2ºC (14ºF). It´s 250 metres long and 55 metres wide. Also, this slope is of a blue category and it has a chairlift to get around.

 

For those who aren´t used to skiing, they have what is known as tubbing: 3 snow slides where you can slide down with tyres. Fun is ensured at Madrid SnowZone in Xanadú. It´s ideal to go with kids and once you´ve finished skiing, you can even go shopping. The leisure offer in this shopping mall in Arroyomolinos is endles. Not only do a lot of people make the most of doing the week´s shopping there but if you´re left wanting more adventure, you can go karting at Karting Indro, watch a film in the cinemas or enjoy a meal in the many restaurants, one of which with a view of the slopes. By the way, the car park at the shopping mall is huge and completely free.