Now I seem to have got most other things straight I am now itching to get my skis out and head down to Sierra Nevada from some on and off piste fun, Spanish style.

Being 'self-employed' I have decided I can either just take off for a week to 10 days or go for a few long weekends, depending who else I can find who fancies a go. Unfortunately all my Spanish friends with apartments there went while I was enjoying the delights of Cadiz and Sevilla for New Year (such a tough life here) and skiing is one past time I find it is better to go with others for so anyone else game for a trip to see what it is like there or anyone have recommendations for accomodation etc?

Maybe something we can 'discuss' when the expat club meetings get started....

Look forward to hearing from any other piste bashers out there.

Louise

Hey Louise, you don't know how glad i was to see this thread

Skiing is one of the things I have missed terrible sice I have been living in Spain. I know we have excellent skiing here but for some reason I just have not gone since I moved over and I used to be a BIG skiier in the U.S.A., I would go at least 15 times every season.

Ena (my gal) has never slapped on a pair of sticks in her life and I was planning to introduce her to the sport this winter with a few basic day trips up to Puerto de Navacerrada ( www.puertonavacerrada.com ).

I think that she will like it and maybe next seasone we will organize a trip via multimadrid to Sierra Nevada, Pyrenees or maybe even Andora

Definitely something to discuss as I need to get back into skiing, miss it a lot

Saludos,
jer...

*wave*
I might be persuaded to fly all the way over there for that reason.

I gave up skiing a few year ago and am now a dedicated snowboarder, usually spending about 20 days a season on the slopes (always in Spain or Andorra. Typically one of my group of boarders sees a good offer for weekend accomodation at the last minute. We book it and then just grab the car friday afternoon and go. We are not fussy, any resort with more than 40km of slopes will do.

Living in Madrid the nearest 'Estaciones' are Sierra Nevada heading south and Pirineo Aragones heading north (Cerler, Formigal). I consider a good offer about 30 euros/night for half board in a three star hotel. The ski pass is then about 25 euros. With petrol and food you are talking 175 euros max for two days.

I have only managed one trip so far this year, many more to come. I spent a week in Andorra, just enough time to do all the alpine 'estaciones': Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, Soldeu-Tarter, Pal-Arinsal and Ordino. The slopes were good, however the weather was bad.

I would also be happy to meet fellow skiers and snowboarders either to share experiences or if there are a few of us to organise a trip.

Cheers,

Ian

Well Ian - all sounds good so would love to try and sort something out for one of your trips out to the white wonderland...

We tempting you yet Jer and others? You know it makes sense not to waste all those kms of specially prepared piste, not to mention the apres ski stuff!

Louise

So multimadridians are not big on winter sports. You don't know what you are missing.

Louise, we'll have to meet up and see what we can arrange. I'm sure we can fit you in.

Cheers,

Ian

Sure wish Renfe still had the overnight train from Madrid to Granada. Took it for several ski trips to Sierra Nevada when I lived in Madrid....those were great times.

Well Ian

Guess the lack of takers means more space on the slopes!

Have got the cool shades out so maybe we can discuss on the 6th at the 'meeting' and see if we can't just convince some others to join us. Though feel free to contact me before if a trip in being planned!
Louise

I have a whole year's allotment of vacation time. A tax refund sufficient for a plane ticket to Spain. Low fares on USAir.
And a torn meniscus in my knee. so I am off skis for the rest of the season.

Life is so cruel sometimes. Surgery is yet to be scheduled, but it will probably be around the 15th of Feb, (my birthday is the 14th, happy birthday to me).

Oh, don't you all feel sorry for me now?

Hey notsew and Louise, I am in as well, just have not had time to try and organize a trip.

We can discuss it on the 6th as Louise said.

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. Mermaid, a bday on Valenitines day, double the :l:

Hey Mermaid, life really is cruel sometimes isn't it?! Was in a similar position myself last year but I promise to do a couple of extra runs just for you Oh yes, and make sure you get a lot of mileage out of being laid up on your birthday and all that - have people run round you like crazy

Good to have you plan to join in Jer, thought if there was enough noise it might get you convinced.

See you all on the 6th for further discussions.
Louise

quote:

Good to have you plan to join in Jer, thought if there was enough noise it might get you convinced.

Actually, I was in from the start. Does not take much convincing for me when it comes to skiing

Now just gotta worry about being one of the few with sticks on my feet and having Ian and his buddies leave me in the dust and jump over me on their snowboards

Saludos,
jer...

Hey all, I'm also a frustrated skier living in Madrid. Usually go for a weekend once or twice / winter with ARAWAK, great outdoor travel agency, they have ski trips every weekend to various locations, price around 170-180 � which includes two night stay in double rooms, half board, lift tickets and bus - which is a great part, you can sleep all the way back instead of driving. I'm planning to go with them to Astun March 7-9, anyone interested let me know. Lena

Hey Lena

Great lead - thanks!! Have just been around their website looking at the ski trips and was working out if I could do all of them!!....seriously tempted to see if there are any places for this weekend on the trip to Sierra Nevada. Could you give us an idea of the normal size of the group, ages etc? I am presuming a single, 30 something english girly wouldn't be too out of the ordinary

Thanks
Louise

Hey Lena, good to see you on the board. Hope the Middlebury move went smoothly

Thanks do much for the tip on ARAWAK, looks great!!! If I had known about them sooner maybe I would have gone skiing during these past 6 yrs.

The link to the ARAWAK ski page is www.arawakviajes.com/esqui/esqui.htm in case anyone needs help finding it.

That March 7-9 Ast�n trip looks nice, may be into that myself.

I did look at that page and it seems to have an error as it says...

quote:

Salida: 18,30 h. del d�a 22
Regreso: 17,00 h. del d�a 24

... for the dates

Will have to assume they forgot to change the dates on that part since the last trip.

So, they leave Friday at 18,30, ena could make that too since she gets out of work at 16,00

I agree that the bus is a great way to go, especially after a loooooong day on the slopes on Sunday, �No siento las piernas, no siento las piernas! (I can't feel my legs, I can't feel my legs!).

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. been so long since I was last on skiis that the 6� "seguro" (insurance) would be a must for me