The publicly owned company, Cetursa, that manages the whole of the skiing complex on Sierra Nevada decided to close the season earlier than normal, which with the late snowfalls at the beginning of April, did not amuse the rest of the businesses up there; restaurants, hotels and shops.

The Governing Board of the company said that to stay open an extra 15 days would have cost around 1,100,000 euros, whereas the possible earnings from the extension would have been 350,000 at best, meaning around 750,000 euros in loss. As it was, the skiing season closed with a small profit, which when considering the total lack of rainfall during autumn and winter, it pretty amazing.

Here are some figures: total visitors 149,539 (+12.9%), number of skiers 843 347 (-0.6), days operating 142, (-9%) sunny days 100 (+28.2%) and finally, skiable distance 63 km (-18.2%)

(News: Sierra Nevada, Granada, Andalucia)