Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps. A national park, the protected area encompasses 86,208ha of torrential rivers, sheer-sided gorges, stony scree slopes, and glacial lakes. In the foothills of the Alpujarras are cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables. The Nevada was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1986, in recognition of its exceptionally diverse plant, bird and animal species.
The ski resort of Sol y Nieve is in the Sierra Nevada range. It is the most southerly ski resort in Europe and relatively small, even so, the resort hosted the 1996 world ski championships. The resort has numerous runs of varying difficulties. Being so far south, the air temperature is usually warmer than other resorts. There is also a very active nightlife.