The Ultimate Guide for Skiing in Madrid: Where to Go, What to Do, and How to Get There

We will explain the reasons for that in detail. In this way, you will discover that Madrid during winter has a lot to offer. In addition, you will probably feel like practicing these winter sports, especially if you have never ventured into them before.

Puerto de Navacerrada

First, we will talk about a place that also stands out as an excellent destination for excursions from Madrid. It is the Puerto de Navacerrada. It is a mountain pass that, as its name suggests, is in the Sierra de Guadalajara.

This destination can be quite challenging, as it is no less than 1858 meters above the sea level. That is a quite considerable height, which is part of what makes it so wonderful and captivating. It is not only located in Madrid, but between the provinces of Segovia and Madrid. More specifically, in the very center of Spain.

Its best known attraction is precisely its ski resort, which stands out for its versatility, since here you will have the opportunity to do not only alpine skiing, but also cross-country skiing. Likewise, its slopes also offer artificial snow cannons and ski lifts.

It should be noted that its facilities are quite extensive, to the point that you can also find in this port apartments, hostels, hotels, restaurants and even a ski school that will help you a lot in case you are a complete beginner.

The fact that it is such a complete place should not surprise anyone, considering that Puerto de Navacerrada is also a place with an important historical value, to the point that it is one of the oldest facilities of its kind in the country.

As a result, when people look for skiing in Madrid, this tends to be the first destination they choose. Fresh air, snow, beautiful landscapes, and a safe place to learn how to ski. What more could you ask for?

On the other hand, we must also add that it is a place where versatility can be appreciated in all the activities it has to offer to its visitors. In fact, the place is accessible even in summer, so it also has special activities for this season. However, we consider that the best time to visit it is during winter and that is why we will focus on what it has to offer for this season.

In this sense, it is necessary to highlight activities such as the cross-country and alpine skiing, in addition to snowboarding. Likewise, it is always a good option to attend ski school classes, especially if you have never practiced this activity before.

On the other hand, in case you already know how to ski, but your problem is that you do not have too many skills, it will not be mandatory to attend ski school, since Puerto de Navacerrada offers slopes for all levels, from beginners to experts who feel at home sliding on the snow.

It is worth mentioning that even inclement weather does not have to be a problem, since the artificial snow cannons are used to improve the conditions of the terrain whenever it is not the most suitable, so you do not have to worry about this. However, this does not apply during the summer, when the activities that take place in the port are hiking.

It should also be mentioned that the bar La Bola and the altitude terrace are places you should visit to rest a little when you get away from snowboarding and skiing. In the former you can enjoy good drinks; in the latter you will have the chance to see a panoramic view of the Central System that will captivate you while you relax.

Other activities that are also worth mentioning include horseback riding, snowshoeing, rock climbing, and immersing yourself in hydrothermal circuits, among many others. So, you can be sure that fun is guaranteed with such a variety of things to do.

Getting to this place is very easy, you just have to take advantage of the access by car through the A-6 (exit 6) and the M-601, through the Colmenar Viejo road. In case you do not have a car, you can also get there by bus. For this you must take advantage of the Moncloa interchange or by train, using the C-8b line to Cercedilla, and finally use the C-9 line (Tren de Cotos).

Valdesquí

Another place often mentioned when people research where to go skiing near Madrid is Valdesquí. It is ski resort located in the Sierra de Guadalajara. Like Puerto de Navacerrada, it operates both in winter and summer, offering different repertoires of activities according to the season.

It has facilities for snowboarding as well as alpine and cross-country skiing. Likewise, it is an excellent place to learn how to ski, since it offers ski lessons for different skill levels and any age. It also offers other activities such as igloo building and night snowshoeing routes.

As a noteworthy detail, Valdesquí has nearby places of interest such as the Real Sitio de la Granja, the monastery of El Paular and Cercedilla, so it may be a good idea to visit them if you choose to stay directly at their facilities.

Madrid Xanadú snow zone

Another excellent option for skiing near Madrid is the Madrid Xanadu Snow Zone, which is also known as Madrid SnowZone. It stands out for being the only indoor snow slope in Spain. Similarly, it is also one of the largest in the world, as it has an area of 18,000 square meters, a more than considerable diameter. 

It is located in the Intu Xanadu Shopping and Leisure Center, which is just 20 minutes from the center of Madrid, so it should be your first choice for skiing in Madrid if your priority is the accessibility of the site. 

It has a slope for experts and another for beginners. The snow is kept in excellent condition and the instructors who work there are experts in the field, highly qualified to train you as a skier. 

An important detail is that it has a chairlift, through which you can simulate the experience of skiing on outdoor slopes. We are sure you will enjoy this experience if you dare to try it. 

On the other hand, it doesn't matter if you don't have any ski equipment, since here you can rent everything, you will need. Also, when you want to take a break from winter sports, you can access the different shopping areas offered by the Xanadu Intu Shopping Center. 

This shopping center is one of the great attractions of this ski area, since it has a total area of 153,695 square meters. It even has more than 220 stores of all kinds. Therefore, leisure activities here are guaranteed. 

To mention just a few of the most interesting, this place contains a children's area, an escape room, Cinesa Luxe, Ilusiona, Atlantis Aquarium and gastronomic spaces with high-quality food. 

Regarding how to get to the Madrid Xanadu snow zone, it is located on the A5 highway, exit 22 and 25, Arroyomolinos. You can get there by car leaving from Madrid on the A5.

La Covatilla

We will continue talking about places to ski, focusing on this occasion on La Covatilla. This is a ski resort located in the Central System of the province of Salamanca, in Castilla y León. That is, it is not exactly in Madrid, but it can be accessed by the Via de la Plata, and can be reached in about two and a half hours, so it is also a popular choice to go skiing from Madrid. 

La Covatilla is well known because on several occasions it has been the destination of the final stage of the Vuelta a España. It has both snowboard and alpine ski slopes. Its altitude is also very challenging, reaching a maximum of 2,368 meters and a base altitude of 2,000 meters. 

It should be noted that the great thing about it is not only the height of this station, but also the large number of slopes it has. It has 24 slopes, which are distributed in three different categories: three green, eight blue and thirteen red slopes. These would be the equivalent of beginner, intermediate and advanced level.

A particularity of the slopes of La Covatilla is that they are quite wide and gentle. Thanks to this, they are quite safe, which makes them ideal for all those people interested in starting skiing for the first time. 

On the other hand, if your thing is not alpine skiing, but cross-country skiing, you can also do it here, since this station offers the possibility of practicing this modality in the high-mountain area. 

Another outstanding feature of this ski resort is its spectacular scenery. Special mention should be made of the summit of Cancha Negro, which is located at an altitude of 2,369 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views that you will never forget if you get to behold them. 

It is highly recommended to go to La Covatilla as a family, because it is a very complete place, where everyone can have fun together.

La Pinilla

Finally, it is necessary to talk about La Pinilla, a resort located 8 km from the town of Riaza, in the province of Segovia. It is still not a resort specifically located in Madrid, but it is close enough to be considered as one that is part of its surroundings.

It has a variety of slopes, which reach 22 km. In addition, it offers other interesting things such as cuisine, lessons to learn how to ski, rental of all kinds of equipment and sleds. Basically, it is a place where skiers of all levels can meet to enjoy their passion together.

On the other hand, it also offers several complementary activities that allow it to differentiate itself from others. One of the best are its hot air balloon rides over Segovia, which are an extremely exciting and relaxing high-altitude experience.

Also, many live music events are frequently held in La Pinilla, which take on a special air due to the fact that they take place in the middle of the mountain.

I the same way, in this station you will be able to delight you palate with the incredible gastronomy it has to offer, which you will be able to taste in the Pico and Lobo restaurants. We guarantee that the experience of eating at 1800 meters above sea level will give a peculiar taste to the food.

To all this we must add that, in general, the station is characterized by the halo of dynamism and tranquility that surrounds it. It is a perfect place to coexist with nature and clear the mind.

To conclude, you can see that in the surroundings of Madrid there are many places where you can ski, whether you are a beginner or if you move like a true Olympic athlete on the snow.

Likewise, the variety of leisure activities is guaranteed. These resorts offer varied additions such as lodging, snowshoeing tours, hot air balloons rides, extensive gastronomic offers, snowboarding slopes, live music events, shopping centers and ski lessons for all ages.

All in family-friendly environments, where you can make sure that everyone will be able to enjoy skiing in Madrid and its surroundings in a dynamic, fun and safe way. We hope you will be encouraged to visit them all!