Looking for a white Christmas in Spain
 

Hi
We have moved to NW Spain from Australia and want to experience snow at Christmas. Any suggestions for where to go in Northern Spain or Southern France?
Thanks

Don't worry, you'll find plenty of snow in the Aragon Pyrenees and some in the Picos. Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe and has dozens of ski resorts, even as far south as Granada, in the Sierra Nevada, the "snowy range".

In Galicia you have one ski station, Cabeza de Manzaneda, I think it´s called. In Cantabria, Alto de CAmpoo, where I like to go (not crowded, cheap). You are closed to Picos de Europa, most of them will be snowy by Xmas. And then, the Pyrenees, as Robert says or Sierra Nevada.

You won´t have any problem in finding snow in Spain in Christmas, except for a very rare change in temperatures (you never know these days...).

Thanks for both of your replies .. that gives me something to work with. We do enjoy skiing but are really looking for somewhere that we can stay at Christmas that will be snow covered .. you know, look out the window and the ground is white, sort of thing!

Then, to be on the safe side, Aragón or Catalonian or French Pyrenees or Sierra Nevada

I agree with Mike because there is no guaranteed snow here in Galicia. The snow station he talks about had no real snow for several years, but last year skiing was fantastic.

caitg writes: "We have moved to NW Spain from Australia and want to experience snow at Christmas ... "

Where in NW Spain do we begin? There's a range of mountains North of Madrid (Guardarammas) with Ski slopes (Somosierra, Navacerrada, and more). There's a chance they would have snow. A little further West, Burgos had a major snowstorm for Christmas last year.
But, if you want to be sure, head for Asturias and los Picos de Europa. Potes (Cantabria) sits in a Geological 'Park,' a 'saddleback' like Innsbruck, Austria, that doesn't get much snow but is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. I have stayed at Hostal Picos de Europa in Potes and would not hesitate to recommend it.

You will always find snow somewhere.

Google "Spain webcam ski" nearer to Xmas , checkout the areas, choose your spot, make arrangements.

Note, snow has already arrived in some areas :

http://www.snoweye.com/?page=es
http://www.snoweye.com/camimg.php?ca...8&u=1258111181
http://www.altiservice.com/webcams/F.../fontromeu.jpg

Peter

I bet if they are working in Ferrol, Galicia as there is a ship building contract for the Aussie navy going on at themomnet.
I would wait until near Christmas and tey to find out where the snow is then.

Yes, we are aussies and my husband works for the Australian Government on the LHD ships in Ferrol! Fortunately, we live in Coruna rather than Ferrol. Given the usual temperature of mid 30s in Canberra on Christmas Day, the idea of snow is very appealing!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am busy trolling around the web looking at Aragon or Cantabria at the moment.

Hope you a have car then.
Here is the link to the ski area in Galicia in case they have snow and you can get away fora weekend.
http://www.manzaneda.com/
and a web cam
http://www.crtvg.es/cgi-bin/camweb/c...&idioma=galego
and a website which covers skiing all over Spain
http://www.esquiespana.org/web/default.asp
I know you do not necessarily want skiing but you will find the snow too.

ribeirasacra - No car normally, husband car pools. But we will hire one for December-January for travelling during the Christmas break. Thank you for the sites - Manzaneda looks very bare at the moment :-) Here's hoping for some colder weather.