We too went up to the Sierra Nevada on the 1st Jan for a couple of days skiing and overnight in Granada. It is a lovely place and the skiing is excellent for most standards including total novices like us. We tried to leave late afternoon on the 3rd but we were advised that it was impossible without snow chains so we tried again an hour later and 90euros poorer with the chains fitted. This time, we queued for 2 hours to leave the underground car and were then told that the road was totally blocked. The locals just re-parked their cars and pulled out their sleeping bags ready for a cold night in the car. As there were 5 softies in our car, we decided to find a hotel, but the only rooms available were in the Melia Sierra Nevada at 277euros per room with no breakfast. Ouch !!!.
It turned out to be a truly wonderful experience as the place is so pretty at night and a snowball fight after dinner beats liqueurs every time!! We will definitely return and stay in the ski resort but book hotels online where the prices are much cheaper.
This area is also great for walking in summer and the prices are much lower then.
Jon