Sierra Nevada ski and mountain resort has closed the 2024/25 winter season this Sunday, with a total of 1,250,000 users, marking a 12.5% increase compared to the previous season; of which 861,400 were skiers, a 10% increase.
In terms of visitors, Sierra Nevada welcomed around 400,000 (389,000), with 156,000 using the cable car (+22%) and 233,000 engaging in activities (+15%). This latter figure represents a historic record of attendance in snow activities for non-skiers at Pradollano (Mirlo Blanco complex) and Borreguiles, as reported by the Ministry of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing in a statement.
The Minister responsible and president of Cetursa Sierra Nevada, Rocío Díaz, highlighted these results and stated that «it has been a good season,» thanks to favorable weather conditions with snowfall at the beginning of the year and during March.
«This allowed us to extend the season by a week more than planned, being also the last ski resort in Southern Europe to close its doors,» she added, a decision influenced by the cancellation of the strikes by the ski lift workers at the resort.
However, Díaz recalled that «despite the challenging start to the season due to lack of snow, ultimately, thanks to the snowfall in January, we recorded the best February in historical attendance.» Additionally, the minister emphasized that «we had a significant qualitative leap with the snowfall in March, which provided snow depths of over three meters.»
She emphasized the Andalusian government’s commitment with an investment of «over one hundred million euros since we came to the Andalusian government» in Sierra Nevada. «Proof of this strong commitment is reflected in the increase in the number of users, the hosting of major sports events like ‘Snow Running Sierra Nevada,’ or the first fashion show held at the ski resort, led by designer Pilar Dalbat,» she argued.
Finally, Rocío Díaz made special mention of the ski resort’s workers and entrepreneurs, stating that «thanks to the work and effort they put in during the season, we have been able to achieve these good results,» while also thanking the visitors for their trust.
Of the total skiers, over 96% were of Spanish nationality, with the majority coming from Andalusia (73%) and Madrid (11%). The occupancy rate, from December to May, stood at 62% of the hotel capacity in Pradollano (+2%).
Like in the rest of the Peninsula, the season started with many challenges due to the lack of precipitation, leading to the opening of the resort’s facilities from December 1 for tourist use, with the cable car operational and snow activities in Borreguiles, until the ski season was officially launched on December 13, as reminded by the Regional Government.
Thanks to the artificial snow system, «especially crucial at the beginning of the season,» Sierra Nevada gradually expanded its ski offerings, «although it wasn’t until the traditional Epiphany snowfall when the first slopes in the Veleta area could be opened.» From there, the Ministry emphasizes, the resort improved its performance and reached the third-highest number of skiers since records began in February (273,400). In March, a series of snowfall allowed the opening of all zones and ski lifts in Sierra Nevada «under the best conditions of the season.»
From November 30, 2024, to May 4, 2025, Sierra Nevada recorded 364.8 liters per square meter, with 245.4 in the lower part of the ski domain and 329.3 in the upper area, with snow depths ranging between 45 centimeters (minimum) and 90 centimeters (maximum). Throughout the season, windstorms forced the closure of the facilities on 12 occasions, ten total closures and two partial closures.
Among the novelties of this season, according to the Ministry, the comprehensive renovation of the Borreguiles cable car cabins, the installation of a boarding carpet on the Borreguiles chairlift, the creation of a new artificial snow line in the Beginners’ area with the acquisition of 20 new cannons, the installation of an electric car charging station in the Plaza de Andalucía parking with over 40 charging points, or the renovation of the transition room for adapted skiing.
DEPORTE Y MÚSICA
During the 2024-2025 winter season, the Government highlights that Sierra Nevada hosted «an ambitious program» of sports competitions primarily driven by the Andalusian Winter Sports Federation (FADI) in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Winter Sports Federation (RFEDI) and around twenty sports clubs, as well as the Andalusian Mountain Sports Federation, Climbing, and Hiking (FAM).
A total of 41 official regional and national events were held, with the participation of over 3,000 athletes of all ages, «promoting grassroots sports, high performance, and intergenerational and inclusive coexistence.»
The Spanish Alpine Skiing Championship, the Spanish Freestyle Skiing Championship (moguls discipline), or the Spanish Ski Mountaineering Championship (Vertical, Individual, and Teams) were some of the most prominent competitions.
The Ultra Sierra Nevada or the ‘Snowrunning’ once again demonstrated the «versatility» of the Granada resort in hosting sports events beyond traditional winter competitions.
Entertainment on the slopes revolved around musical performances in Borreguiles, featuring DJs and cover bands, with the highlight in April being the ‘Sun and Snow’ festival, one of the most significant electronic music events in European ski resorts, as highlighted by the Ministry.