Snowfall arrives in Sierra Nevada as ski season nears

The Sierra Nevada ski resorts are already dusted with the first layer of winter snowfall of 2015.

As September disappears into the rear view mirror, thoughts across much of Europe begin to turn to crisp autumnal mornings and a colourful kaleidoscope of foliage emerging across the tree canopies of the continent…

Well, except in Spain, of course. While the beaches may not be as busy as usual, the temperatures down south remain suitably pleasant enough to beckon beachgoers to the surf.

But high up in the Sierra Nevada, it is a different story already. Snow has fallen early on the most southerly ski resort in Europe, which is famously a two-hour drive from the sunny beaches of the Costa del Sol.

With fresh snow now resting atop the highest peaks of mainland Spain – exceeding 3,300 metres at the highest spot – ski enthusiasts have already begun getting excited at the thought of an early ski season. Normally the Sierra Nevada welcomes adrenaline junkies on to its 106 kilometres of pistes towards the end of November, sometimes early December.

But after a sweltering summer in which Andalucía broke a series of heat records, the first snowfall anywhere in the country has followed a series of blustery storms that swept across the southeastern corner of Spain towards the end of September.

Would-be holidaymakers hoping for some winter sun shouldn’t worry, however: unsettled periods of weather are not uncommon this time of the year on the Costa del Sol, but by late October things have usually settled down enough to ensure low- to-mid 20ºC temperatures and bright blue skies.

Such is the variety and beauty of the Costa del Sol region that, whether you are seeking a relaxing week on the beach, a cultural city break or an action-packed holiday on the slopes, at this time of the year, you really can have it all.