This year the snow arrives bringing an array of new attractions to the ski resorts

If you like skiing or are thinking of taking it up, why not come to Spain? You'll find 34 resorts to enjoy, many of them with brand new ski runs, areas for snowboarding, a multitude of après-ski activities, fairy-tale landscapes, accommodation with spa facilities… Everything necessary to guarantee a great time this winter.

Spain has everything you need to enjoy the snow. Spain is Europe's second most mountainous country, and home to areas such as the Pyrenees in the north and the Sierra Nevada in the south. Here you'll find 28 fully equipped alpine ski resorts and five resorts for Nordic skiing. If you prefer indoor skiing, there's also an indoor resort on the outskirts of Madrid. Use our search engine to see the characteristics of each one. And in the 2012-2013 season the resorts are packed with new features – from new leisure activities and more ski runs to a range of technical enhancements.

More kilometres of snow and more family-oriented ski runs

Resorts such as the one in Sierra Nevada now have even more skiable kilometres to enable you to make the most of the snow. The resort of Port-Ainé has opened a new tubing slope, and Formigal now boasts an ice skating rink meauring 400 square metres. Meanwhile most resorts have increased their snow-producing capacity, as is the case of the resorts of Baqueira Beret, Masella, La Pinilla and Vallter 2000.

This year many resorts offer an improved range of facilities for children. For example, Formigal has opened a leisure area with an array of activities, the Vall de Nuria resort has added trampolines to their play park, and Sierra Nevada and extended the area reserved for beginners. Additionally, Cerler, Javalambre and Valdelinares have enhanced their children's entertainment programme. What's more, some other resorts offer new promotional packages for families, including Astún, Lles, Port-Ainé and Espot Esquí.

For daredevils

And if you're into jumping, twisting and snowboard you're in luck, because now most resorts have special areas dedicated to this sport. And if you'd like to start practising freestyle, the resort at Formigal has opened a beginner's slope. Other developments include the new multi-adventure facilities at Pont-Ainé and the chance to try your hand at scuba diving beneath the ice in the same resort.

Major international events

Thanks to the quality of Spain's ski resorts, they are ideal venues for hosting major international events. This season is no different, and users will be able to enjoy winter sports events both on the pistes and from the stands. For example, the La Molina resort is due to be the site of the World Snowboard and Paralympic Alpine Skiing Championships, and the Men's Europe Cup.

The Espot Ski resort is the venue for the Telemark World Cup, and Sierra Nevada is set to host the Grand Final of the Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships.

What's more, the beginning of the year brings another exciting edition of the white route over the Pyrenees known as Pirena. This is an event featuring sleds pulled by teams of dogs which passes through various Spanish ski resorts such as Formigal, Candanchú, Baqueira Beret, Port Ainé and La Molina. And once again all the resorts will be celebrating World Snow Day, which this year falls on 20 January.

Leisure and après-ski

After a day's fun on the slopes, what could be better than to enjoy the wide range of après-ski options by sampling the typical cuisine, for example. Resorts such as Manzaneda have made major improvements to their hotel and restaurant infrastructures, while Baqueira Beret has refurbished its range of restaurant options.

Finally, some resorts such as Cerler have extended their après-ski hours, and others like Javalambre offer an enhanced choice of leisure options. Both resorts will feature events with DJs and live music on Saturdays.

There are so many activities to choose from that any resort you pick is guaranteed be a hit. Check the special promotions at each resort, choose your favourite and get ready to have fun this winter in Spain!