THIS year's skiing season has been extended thanks to the higher-than-usual snowfall at altitudes in Spain – the slopes at Cerler, Formigal and Panticosa (Huelva province) in the Pyrénées of Aragón will remain open until April 10, and deals of two days' lift pass plus a night in a hotel are being advertised at just €61.50 in total.
Those in the province of Teruel (Aragón) – in Javalambre and Valdelinares - are open until at least the end of March, but this may be extended until April 3 or possibly April 10 depending upon snowfall.
Various events, including parties on the piste and amateur competitions are due to be hosted throughout the rest of this month in the Aragonese ski resorts, run by the regional ski tour operator Aramón.
La Rioja has opened 21 slopes at the Valdezcaray resort this weekend, and with the forecast for snow continuing, it is likely they will remain for some weeks yet.
The Sierra Nevada, in Granada, now has 75 kilometres of 'skiable' slopes after the Laguna de las Yeguas opened yesterday (Saturday) for the first time this season.
With it, the Laguna chair-lift has just opened, taking skiers to the highest altitude of the entire resort and allowing them to fly down a piste from 1,200 metres above sea-level to terra firma.
This week, also, the Sierra Nevada has opened three more 'black pistes' – the Tubo de Enebro, the Fuente del Tesoro and the Neveros, which start in the Loma de Dílar area – in addition to the Visera 'black slope' in Borreguiles which was first put into use this season around a week ago.
Black pistes are the most difficult and challenging due to their twisting and turning, and their gradient – even more so than red pistes, which are for experienced skiers only.
Beginners will start on the 'green' or 'nursery' slopes, but depending upon their progress, may be able to move relatively quickly onto the next level up, the blues.
Total beginners, and novices seeking more practice, will be most at home on the pistes of Javalambre and Valdelinares, which also include a ski school where lessons can be booked in advance – although both resorts have red slopes for the more experienced.
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