Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla

The ski resort of Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla is located in the Central System of the province of Salamanca, autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain.

La Covatilla is a magnificent place to start skiing . A look from the base of the resort confirms this. Wide and gently sloping slopes, stretched along the crest of the last slopes of La Covatilla. A total of 24 slopes divided into three green, eight blue and 13 red. Although the goodness of the latter makes many skiers consider them blue. It has 21 cannons of artificial snow production covering 20 percent of the skiable domain.

The ski resort of La Covatilla

Location of La Covatilla

It is located in the Sierra de Béjar, within the municipality of La Hoya, province of Salamanca. It currently has 24 slopes and just over 20 skiable kilometers, between a minimum elevation of 2000m and a maximum of 2360m.

Most of the runs have not transformed the mountain slopes at all, something so common in other ski resorts in Spain. Thus, it is possible to go down El Calvitero, Siete Veneros and Valdesánchez, the longest and steepest slopes in the resort. If you are looking for something more relaxed, nothing better than going down La Muchachina, a trail that runs along the eastern end of the station and passes near the ruins of the old mountain hut located here.

Facing north-northeast and with the protection against the wind that offers the whole massif, the sun does not harm the quality of the snow. Snowfalls occur more frequently at the beginning of winter. Among the problems it faces are the formation of ice, blizzards and the persistence of fog.

Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla is a young ski resort, which is in full development. It was opened to the public in 2001. Its slopes, with gentle slopes and considerable width, make it ideal to enjoy with the family.

Another factor to take into account is its geographical location, two hours from Madrid by road and just over a hundred kilometers from Portugal.

Distribution of the slopes

The Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla ski resort is characterized by the amplitude of its gently sloping slopes, where the careful treatment of the snow cover provides magnificent conditions for the practice of skiing, making it ideal to enjoy the white sport with the family.

Its ski slopes are located twelve kilometers from the A66 Ruta de La Plata highway; this circumstance, together with those mentioned above, means that the Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla ski resort has given a strong boost to the tourist development of its entire area of influence which, in a relatively short time, will provide numerous elements to enhance the undoubted attractions of all kinds (scenic, monumental, traditional, gastronomic, etc.) that can be found in its surroundings.

In its facilities you will find everything you need for a full day of skiing: rental equipment, mountain clothing and protective gear, qualified ski instructors, self-service cafeteria-restaurant, a magnificent workshop to tune your equipment …, even a chiqui-park for the little ones to rest safely while you enjoy the snow quietly. Its highest point is at an altitude of 2369 meters.

Apart from the ski season, the Sierra de Béjar offers numerous possibilities for the practice of hiking in mountain routes that, starting from the ski resort, will allow us to access privileged enclaves of great scenic beauty and remarkable natural wealth.

Incredible views of the Sierra de Béjar

Apart from offering the most placid skiing, Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla is distinguished by the excellence of the landscapes it offers. From the summit of Canchal Negro, 2,369 meters and the highest point of the resort, a few meters from the head of the lift of the same name, a spectacular panorama can be seen.

A stone’s throw away are the peaks of Calvitero, La Ceja and Dos Hermanitos, the highest points of the Sierra de Béjar. Also very close is the Alto Gredos, topped by the Almanzor peak, La Galana and the Cuchillar de las Navajas. Somewhat further away, the Sierra de Francia is dressed in white after the last snowfalls. And if the day is clear you can see as far as Salamanca, even though it is 70 kilometers away.

Skiing in La Covatilla

At La Covatilla, comfort is the norm. After the climb to the top of the Sierra by a road that follows the route of an old forest track and in which the wooden snowplows give it an anachronistic air. On the asphalt, at all hours the snowplows are working hard. The parking lot is just a few meters from the core of the resort and its slopes.

Its high altitude means low temperatures, which favors the snow production cannons to work. While in other places located at lower altitudes, they cannot. In short, in Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla, it is usual to be able to ski without too many problems until well into April.

Another factor to take into account is the geographical location of La Covatilla, two hours from Madrid by road and just over a hundred kilometers from Portugal. Its ski slopes are twelve kilometers from the A66 Ruta de La Plata highway.

This circumstance, together with those mentioned above, means that the Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla ski resort has given a strong boost to the tourist development of the entire area of influence which, in a relatively short time, will provide numerous elements to enhance the undoubted attractions of all kinds (scenic, monumental, traditional, gastronomic, etc.) that can be found in its surroundings.

Sustainable development of the ski resort of La Covatilla

La Covatilla as a Biosphere Reserve

The Sierra de Béjar was declared a Biosphere Reserve along with the Sierra de Francia, by UNESCO, at the meeting held in Paris in October 2006. For all those who do not know what this title represents, according to UNESCO, a biosphere reserve is a space in which the welfare of people can be harmonized with the conservation of the environment.

This declaration was executed with the objectives of conserving and protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable economic and human development, and developing training and education projects.

“The Sierra de Béjar and Francia are part of a network of 52 Biosphere Reserves throughout Spain”.

Reserves such as La Isla de Menorca, El Hierro or even Doñana are included in the Network The ski resort of La Covatilla, has the privilege of being in the heart of the Sierra de Béjar.

Investment for sustainable development in La Covatilla

In addition to the above, the Junta de Castilla y León, in its commitment to the industrial reactivation of Béjar and job creation, will allocate a total of 8.3 million euros to encourage economic activity and create an attractive environment that facilitates the sustainable development of the town of Salamanca.

4.5 of those 8.3 million have been earmarked for the Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla Ski Resort for the period 2019-2021. This will promote the economic revitalization of this area of Salamanca, which is the most dynamic element of the economy of Béjar.

Unforgettable experiences in La Covatilla

Snowboarding in La Covatilla SnowPark

The ski resort Sierra de Béjar – La Covatilla, has a snowboarding sector. There are a total of 15 modules, three lines of chimpos and three levels of difficulty for the most faithful to this alternative to skiing.

La Covatilla ski resort in summer

The ski resort is not only limited to winter activities, we can also enjoy it to the fullest in other seasons of the year. In summer, other types of activities are more common:

Rafting just minutes away from the resort by car.

Do you want the same adrenaline rush you enjoy while skiing during the summer?

If so, don’t hesitate to go rafting, canyoning or even canoeing down the Cuerpo de Hombre River with your family or friends with Aventur.

Paintball in the surroundings of La Covatilla resort

If you want to take your family and even your friends to a battle simulation, don’t hesitate and plan your teams now! The area of the Sierra de Béjar and its surroundings make it the ideal place for this activity that will bring adrenaline and fun.

Hotels in La Covatilla

Vistahermosa Rural Tourism Center **.

It is one of the closest accommodations to the ski resort, since for environmental reasons, there is no accommodation at the foot of the slopes.

It is located just 20 minutes by car (parking located at the foot of the slopes).

Privileged place for its environment, full of nature and breathtaking views, hence its name “Vista Hermosa”. It has breakfast included and activities for children, in addition to basic amenities such as television and individual heating. Pets are allowed and it is suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Hostel Restaurant Riofrio

Hostal Restaurante Riofrio is a hostel and restaurant that is equipped with the best facilities to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable.

The rooms have complete bathroom, heating and television. In addition they offer to the guests, a wide parking lot with option of closed garage for the faithful ones to the motorcycles.

What could be better than having the restaurant in the same place where you are staying?

In the restaurant of Ríofrío you will be able to taste exquisite and varied dishes; a great variety of specialties of the house, grilled meats and an extensive wine list both from the area and the rest of Spain.

Apartments La Covatilla

If what you want is a place to stay that is more familiar than a hotel, the Apartamentos La Covatilla, will give you that desire. Not only that, but these apartments have the privilege of being the closest accommodation to the ski slopes of La Covatilla.

The facilities have 20 accommodation places distributed in 5 apartments, of various sizes that vary. There are from 2 to 6 places, all of them within the same tourist enclosure.

The enclosure has several common services such as closed parking for cars and discount on ski rental, in addition to the necessary amenities for a pleasant stay.

Skiing in La Covatilla : the strong points of the resort

• La Covatilla ski resort is the only skiable domain in the province of Salamanca.
• It consists of 31 slopes with different levels of difficulty, but with a clear orientation for beginners and families.
• Slopes with gentle slopes and considerable width, ideal to enjoy with the family.
• A little more than 2 hours from Madrid by road and 1 hour and 20 minutes from Salamanca capital.
• It is part of the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra de Béjar for its high landscape and natural value.
• Its orientation and altitude (elevations 1,990 to 2,369 meters) allow the snow cover is maintained in excellent condition throughout the season.