Sierra Nevada: Schneevorhersage

I have mixed feelings about this resort. I have managed about 20 - 30 days in total this season. Pros - Easy to get there. - Good variety of terrain for beginner and intermediates on-piste. - If it has snowed a lot, there is a fair amount of off/side piste and back-country to explore with terrain to suit all. - Some of the most extensive snow blowing equipment I have ever seen. - Very long ski season. - Can be very quiet mid-week and often feels like you have the resort to yourself with absolutely no queues for the lifts. Cons - Slow lifts serving the main beginner bowl. - On busy weekend, peak-season days, it has possibly the worst queues I have ever experienced in a resort. I’m talking 30-45 mins per lift, and when compared to the Alps the runs are often a lot shorter (cars were backed-up halfway down the mountain waiting to get into the resort on one day). - Very poor communication from the resort management with regards to opening and shutting lifts and the resort. It occurred to us twice, after waiting in the main gondola queue for 2 hrs to be then told the resort was not going to open. - Hotels need a major face lift and revamp. My absolute main issue with the resort is how they look after and maintain the slopes once you get out into Laguna. The underlying ground is often very loose rock/packed soil. Its not uncommon for the stones to get kicked up when snow levels are low and then trash your skis. In conclusion, a great place for a short break at the start and end of a season with enough skiing to keep you entertained. Don’t go peak season at weekends / half-terms as you will spend half the time standing in a queue. Don’t bring your favourite pair of skis, you will regret it. Keep an eye on the weather as high winds will close the resort. If it has had a big dump it can provide some of the best skiing I have had.