THE 10 THINGS YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT NAVACERRADA
In this article we are going to present you all the things you need to know about the closest station to Madrid. From its origin, being one of the pioneers of alpine skiing in Spain, to all the activities that you can enjoy in it both in summer and winter. Here we go!
1. THE FIRST SKI RESORT IN SPAIN
As you know, at Uller we are lovers of skiing and everything that is related to snow and sports. However, we have always liked to know where we come from and where everything that today makes us enjoy nature and the sensation of adrenaline comes from. For this reason, we found it interesting to dedicate a point to the history of the first ski resort founded in Spain.
We make a flashback to almost two hundred years before, specifically to the year 1903 when the practice of winter sports began in the Port of Navacerrada. Later, in 1907 the first ski club was founded. However, these first skiers had to drag their skis up the mountains until October 9, 1954 when the first chairlift was installed.
2. ARTIFICIAL SNOW SOMETHING FROM THE PRESENT?
Although it seems that the creation of artificial snowl is something modern and of the present, the truth is that the ski resort of Navacerra was the forerunner in Spain of the first snow production system of the country. The year in which this machinery was launched is 1960, which made the influx of skiers and people who went to visit it increase massively during these decades. Some weekends they came to register 130 buses and 7.800 vehicles.
3. THE PERFECT TRACKS TO START SKIING
And after this story, how are the ski slopes of Navacerrada currently? The Navacerrada slopes can be divided into two very different areas, one for beginners and another for high level. The first of them has easier and weather-protected short tracks, everything you need if you've never worn skis before, this area of Navacerrada will be your best ally.
In addition, it is located within an incredible Scots pine forest where the Forest track is located, a kilometer-long descent. Although it is not the easiest track for beginners, the landscape is worth seeing.
On the other hand, in the high level area there are red slopes that are normally closed and some are in disuse. Some of the slopes and ski lifts belong to the province of Segovia. In addition, this area can also be used in spring, summer and autumn thanks to the chairlift that remains open in the summer months.
4. AS EASY AS TAKING THE COMMUNICATION FROM MADRID
For many people from Madrid, Navacerrada is an escape route for weekends. In addition, the connection of the station with the capital is very simple, since if you do not have a car to get there, the very outskirts of the community of Madrid will bring you closer to the snow. In this case, it will be the Cercanías line C-9 Madrid that will allow you to disconnect for a few days from the noise of the capital. From the Chamartín station you take the suburban train to Cercedilla and then the Cotos train to the port of Navacerrada.
However, if you go by car you can leave it in a large parking lot that is usually full on winter holidays. The route that you will have to follow if you choose to go with your own vehicle is from Madrid on the A-6 to Collado Villalba. Once there, take the detour along the M-601 Madrid – Segovia until you reach Puerto de Navacerrada.
The third option to get to this station is the bus, an old reliable one that never fails. Buses on line 691 leave the Moncloa interchange every day.
5. CLIMATE AND HEIGHTS
The climate, as can be expected, is a mountainous climate, although with some influences from the continental Mediterranean climate. As for the summers, they are mild with little rainfall and harsh winters that have reached minimums of -15 ºC, the perfect temperature to be able to enjoy skiing and snow when the sun rises. In fact, snowfalls are abundant from November to April, and snow usually remains until June at elevation 2000, reaching up to two meters of snow in some areas. The minimum heights are 1700 and the maximum is 2177.
6. SKI SCHOOL OF PUERTO DE NAVACERRADA
This school has a great trajectory of 50 years of experience in which they are dedicated to teaching people from the earliest ages to the oldest. Not only in skiing but also for snow.
The professionals who will give you the classes are authentic professionals in their own, a staff to whom you can give all your trust and feel safe in each area of the Navacerrada station. We recommend that if you go in a group with family or friends, hire one of these teachers, it is a way to enjoy skiing and spend an incredible day if you are still a beginner.
However, you can sign up for these group classes also if you go alone and you want to meet other people who share the same passion for skiing as you. They usually have a maximum of 10 students and both age and level are taken into account.
For an intensive class and to make the most of your time, you have teachers exclusively for you who will perfect your technique.
7. AN EXCURSION WITH SNOWSHOES OF THE MOST FUN
Discover the landscape more peacefully walking in a group among the leafy and best preserved pine forests of the Central System where the Sierra Nevada gate is located.
For this type of excursions it is important to first establish which route is going to be followed. Normally the path that is taken is mainly through the area of Montebajo, Hoya de la Mora, or the pine forests of Fuente Alta, depending on the snow conditions.
8. DISCONNECT IN ITS LUXURY HOTELS
Navacerrada is also known for its wonderful hotels such as the hotel Rural las Rozuelas, located in Cercedilla with a number of services to make you feel more comfortable than ever. Among them the jacuzzi, books, television... A complete relaxing stay in the middle of nature.
Secondly, the three-star Hostal Hacienda los Robles may not be as luxurious as the previous one, but it has a perfect location if your goal is to go skiing, since it is located in the town of Navacerrada itself, just 1km from the center. In addition, if you go in the months of good weather you can take a bath in the outdoor pool or continue with the sport on the tennis courts. This accommodation is perfect for young people since it has a more affordable price and has a pub where you can spend an incredible night with friends.
Finally, La Casona de Navalmedio is a good option if you are going as a couple and you are interested in getting to know Cercedilla. The reception is open 24 hours a day to attend to all your needs. It also has a swimming pool, restaurant and free parking. The best thing about this hotel is that pets are accepted, since they also deserve to enjoy the pure mountain air.
9. A SKI MUSEUM THAT YOU CANNOT MISS
Near Navacerrada, in Cercedilla, there is a ski museum in honor of Francisco Fernández Ochoa who, as many of you know, was the first Spanish alpine skier to win the medal of gold with only 22 years. Thus, the community of Madrid was in charge of buying the building in which this museum is now established.
In it you can find all the objects related to the skier and this sport. The museum is made up of two floors: the first is more related to high mountain sports and audiovisual elements that inform us about these sports, and on the second everything related to Ochoa.
10. THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF NAVACERRADA
After telling you a little about the station and its history, we would like to briefly highlight its strong points. In case you are still not convinced, here are all the advantages of the pioneer station:
- Activities less than 0.5 kilometers away such as the Ski Museum, San Sebastián Church, the Light Factory and the Equestrian Center.
- Bus lines and access by train, if you prefer not to take your own car
- Ski equipment rental service in good condition, ski school and restaurants at the base of the resort
- Proximity to large urban centers
- Perfect for those who are beginning to ski or have an intermediate level
- The forest track is considered by many to be the best red ski track in the Central System due to its difficulty, views and singular beauty.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- HOW MANY TRACKS DOES NAVACERRADA HAVE?
Navacerrada has a total of 16 slopes: one green, five blue, nine red and one black.
- HOW HEIGHT IS THE PORT OF NAVACERRADA?
The height of the port of Navacerrada is 1.203 meters elevation.
- ARE THERE INDOOR SKI SLOPES IN MADRID?
Yes, the Madrid SnowZona is the only covered snow slope in Spain and is located in the municipality of Arroyomolinos in the Madrid Xanadú Shopping and Leisure Center.
- WHAT IS THE CLOSEST SKI TRACK TO MADRID?
The closest ski slope to Madrid is Navacerrada, only 60 kilometers away.
- WHO WERE PACO FERNÁNDEZ OCHOA AND BLANCA FERNÁNDEZ OCHOA?
The Ochoa brothers were the first Spanish skiers to win an Olympic medal at the Olympic Games.
- ON WHAT DATE DO YOU USUALLY OPEN THE SKI SLOPES?
The ski slopes usually open between November 30 and early September
- WHERE IS NAVACERRADA?
- WHAT SERVICES DOES NAVACERRADA OFFER?
The services offered by the port of Navacerrada are the ski school, restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, a military residence, a church, a medical center, hostels and bus service.
- WHAT ARE THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN NAVACERRADA?
The most popular restaurants in Navacerrada are Terraza Jardín Felipe, La Petit Raclette and El Portillón Restaurant.
- HOW MUCH DOES THE CHAIRLIFT COST IN SUMMER?
The chairlift costs seven euros in summer for adults and five euros for the child ticket.
