How to go from pool to piste in one weekend in Spain

You won’t associate skiing with Marbella – but you should, says Lisa Harvey

Go from pool to piste in Andalucia in a matter of hours (El Lodge)

Marbella and skiing. Three words you wouldn’t generally put together when planning a trip to the Andalucían coastal resort that gets 320 days of sunshine a year.

But while Marbella is synonymous with sun, sea and swanky clubs, two and a half hours from this beachside pizazz lies Spain’s best-kept spring secret: the equally sun-drenched slopes of the Sierra Nevada National Park. Although a less obvious choice for a ski break, with 107km of trails and a season that typically lasts until early May it’s Costa Del Sol on snow – but less crowded. And there’s not a Towie star in sight.

Few places in Europe can offer a morning dip overlooking the Med followed by a race down a red before lunch. But that’s exactly the type of “pool to piste” experience available at hotel Puente Romano Marbella.

The village-style resort set on the Golden Mile stretch between Marbella Old Town and Puerto Banús is taking holidays to new heights by asking guests: “What would you like to do today?” Because while there’s nothing wrong with soaking up the stylish poolside scene, Marbella has way more than bling – and this resort is bringing the alternative Spanish vibes in spades.

Top of my list: swapping sparkling sea views for snowy mountain ones with an overnight ski trip to the resort’s sister hotel, El Lodge.

My day starts with a sunrise beach run along the promenade, with palms and boats gently bobbing the sea on one side, and plush penthouses, mansions and Michelin-starred restaurants on the other.

Back at the resort, and after a quick swim in one of the three pools (yes, in February – thank you Marbella microclimate), I stroll the winding paths lined with orange trees and fountains over to breakfast.

The journey into the mountains is scenic. After 90 minutes driving past traditional Andalucían coastal towns and olive groves, it’s surreal to think snow isn’t far away. But within another hour, the powder-dusted peaks of Europe’s most southern ski resort make their majestic appearance and I arrive at Sierra Nevada’s smartest retreat perched at the edge of Pradollano village.

The pool at Sierra Nevada’s El Lodge (El Lodge)

El Lodge is a luxurious 20-room boutique hotel that was originally built in the Seventies. Following a fire in 2012 (fortunately, no one was injured), the lodge was rebuilt to modern standards. Made of concrete and Finnish timber, it’s kitted out with cosy throws, bespoke Chesterfield armchairs and (faux) antler chandeliers. Plus there are playful touches such as retro arcade games, vintage wooden skis and posters on the walls.

Stepping into my suite, the floor is heated, the bed is huge and the entire room is flooded with natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace (hello, hot tub), which frame sweeping views of the landscape.

One of El Lodge’s deluxe mountain view suites (El Lodge)

Below my room, the lodge’s heated pool steams against the snowy backdrop. But I’m not here to swim – instead I kit myself out downstairs at the equipment hire room and greet Katherine, my instructor from Iliberis School, which partners with the hotel. Heading out past El Lodge’s proudest asset – the ski-in/ski-out Sun Deck restaurant (seriously, the chairlift is a few metres away), I make a mental note to order the Iberian ham platter and hearty fondue later.

As we make our way up the slopes, Katherine tells me this ski resort is the sunniest in Europe. “Sunny days and these slopes are especially good for beginners and intermediates.” Which is exactly what I want to hear; even though I’ve snowboarded in the past, this is my first time on skis.

The place exudes cosy ski style (El Lodge)

She’s right. There are 131 pistes (19 green, 45 blue, 53 red, seven black and seven snowpark runs) and with skiing up to 3,300m above sea level, the resort is mainly above the tree line, which makes for wide and well-groomed slopes. The setting is ideal for someone learning the basics, but Katherine says advanced skiers can also get their kicks off-piste. There’s another benefit from being so high: on a clear day, those on the Laguna chairlift can take in views of the Mediterranean and even north Africa.

For me, it’s a memorable afternoon of mastering my snowplough. Sierra Nevada is more of a local hotspot than a tourist one, where sun and snow go hand-in-hand. “For three months it’s been completely sunny most days,” hotel manager Francisco Navarro tells me back at the lodge. “We had a big snowfall in November, so this year the resort will stay open until 29 April.”

The pool is a picture at Puente Romano (Puente Romano)

Later, post muscle-soothing-massage, sauna and swim session, the cava flows, El Lodge’s DJ brings the après-ski vibes (although only on weekends), and the now-still slopes are bathed in the spectacular and ever-changing sunset light.

It feels a long way away from the Golden Mile views of Marbella I woke up to and yet, in reality, it isn’t. For anyone torn between a sea or ski trip, here you really can have the best of both.

Travel essentials

Getting there

EasyJet flies to Malaga from £27.20.

Staying there

A junior suite at Puente Romano including breakfast starts from €350 (£299) per night. A deluxe room at El Lodge including breakfast costs €550 per night during high season.

More information

Puente Romano’s pool to piste day package for two guests starts from €1,145 (includes access to El Lodge’s private outdoor pool, lunch, ski instructor, ski passes and transfers). Separate transfers from Puente Romano to El Lodge cost €498 return.