I was lucky enough to see in the New Year
of 2014 in the most amazing way - skiing in Sierra Nevada Spain, Europe’s most
southerly ski resort. At 3,478 meters this means mucho sun and mucho snow!
Although the top of the resort was not yet
open the snow canons were firing and the snow & conditions were very good.
Since first visiting this resort as a child in the nineties the past few years
I have re-visited and it seems to become more hip & happening each year,
much thanks to the funky young snow boarders & free skiers who come here to
ride the slopes & snow park then enjoy the après-ski scene! As with most
places I have visited in Spain there is a real party atmosphere here!
In my ongoing search of the ultimate
aperitif (the first beer after a days
skiing is a million times more rewarding than that first beer after a hard day
at the office!)
I can conclude my 3 favorite locations in the resort :-
Firstly the cheeky little Verve Clicquot champagne
bar & terrace complete with DJ and what seems to be an endless supply of
the bubbly stuff is perched half way up the mountain. It is a small but perfectly
formed trendy pit stop, perfect for chilling out to the Ibiza style soundtrack
while watching your fellow skiers hurtle past on El Rio slope!!
In the actual resort one of the best
locations to catch the last of the sun after an exhilarating day of throwing caution
to the wind and yourself down the mountain is on the westerly facing terraces
of Plaza De Andalucía where you have a choice of several great bars & restaurants.
Finally El Lodge Hotel owned by the Marbella
Club is THE most luxurious hotel in Sierra Nevada that opened in 2012. This
place is the ultimate in James Bond style luxury ski & spa resort. Built in
a Nordic style wood cabin with the only outdoor heated swimming pool in the
resort it is in the perfect position to get the most of the sun as it sets in
the west. The interior is a very cool mix of retro & contemporary Swedish
style, (which just so happens to be my favorite style!) and is the work of
acclaimed interior designer Andrew Martin. The accommodation includes deluxe
rooms, suites and for those travelling in bigger parties or who just want to indulge in pure
unadulterated extravagance you can reserve a whole floor of the hotel
exclusively to yours truly!!
We came across the sun-drenched terrace of
El Lodge on our last day as we skied down the amazing Aguila red ski run; it
was like an oasis in a snow-covered desert!! The chill out terrace looks like
the set of a James Bond movie with fire pits & sheepskin blankets to keep
you warm as the sun sets over the mountains, with cocktail in hand I just
couldn’t imagine a more perfect end to the day...
Veuve Clicquot Nevada Terrace
El Lodge Ski & Spa Resort
