Madrid usually goes from summer to winter with a week of autumn in between. Despite the cold, snowfall in the capital is rare, with honorable exceptions such as Filomena. However, the Sierra del Guadarrama, which the Community of Madrid shares with Segovia, is usually dyed white from the second half of November. The ski season, however, takes a little longer and until January the slopes do not have enough snow for skiing, but there is even an artificial slope where you can ski all year round.
Valdesquí
Valdesquí is the resort par excellence of the Community of Madrid. In its 22.3 skiable km it has 28 slopes (7 green, 16 blue and 5 red), plus a snowpark. It is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. A great advantage is that you can get there by public transport with the bus line 691 or by train with the C9 Cercanías to Cotos.
📍 Location: Sierra de Guadarrama, 70 km from Madrid.
Ski Sierra Bejar Covatilla
Two hours from Madrid, south of Salamanca and north of Cáceres, is the Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla ski resort. The trip is worth it for its wide slopes with gentle gradient, ideal for enjoying skiing with the family. In addition to its excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding, it has the classic services of equipment rental, cafeteria, self-service restaurant, ski school and a snow park for sledding. But if you prefer walking to sliding, there are also snowshoeing routes to explore the mountain.
📍Location: Sierra de Bejar, 221 km from Madrid.
La Pinilla
Located in the Sistema Central, just 100 km from Madrid, La Pinilla ski resort is a good option for winter sports lovers. It has 15.5 skiable km distributed in 23 slopes for all levels, from beginners to experts. In addition, outdoor events and activities are held throughout the year, such as concerts and sports competitions.
The resort also offers accommodation options, from hostels to glamping, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay in the middle of nature.
📍Location: Sierra de Ayllón, Segovia, about 100-120 km from Madrid.
Navafría (Cross-country skiing)
Navafría has the only center dedicated to Nordic skiing -long runs on flat terrain- in the Sistema Central. It has 33 km of trails for all levels. The Navafría Nordic Ski Center is a closer destination for beginners to cross-country skiing in Madrid. There are routes for all levels, from beginners to experts, as well as snowshoe trails. As usual, the resort offers equipment rental, shelters and a ski school.
📍Location: between Madrid and Segovia, about 100 km away.
Madrid SnowZone (Xanadú)
The closest and independent of the weather: Madrid SnowZone in the Xanadú shopping center, the only indoor snow slope in Spain. It is open all year round with a 250-meter-long main slope. It has options for all levels, although it is especially designed for beginners, you can ski or snowboard regardless of the season. They also offer private and group lessons, as well as activities such as tobogganing and children’s birthday parties.
📍 Location: Arroyomolinos, inside the Madrid Xanadú shopping center, about 30 km from the center of Madrid.