Did you know that in Salamanca, on the border with Extremadura, there is a ski slope? It is the station of La Covatilla, in the municipality of La Hoya, in the Sierra de Béjar.

The station of La Covatilla was opened to the public in 2001 with controversy over the denunciations of Ecologists in Action. The station, in a wonderful landscape, integrates areas of the Sierra de Candelario (Biosphere Reserve and SPA).

The ski resort of La Covatilla will open the 2014-2015 season at the Puente de la Constitución. The date is subject to the amount of snow. This will open the 14th ski season of Béjar, although with a change in direction: the City Council of Béjar takes command of the former manager, Gecobesa.

The "white baptisms" in La Covatilla and the reduced prices

What are white baptisms? In La Covatilla, these are school programs from January to March to start skiing in the Sierra de Béjar.

More than 3,000 schoolchildren start each year in La Covatilla, according to the organization. The Provincial Council of Salamanca has a budget of € 100,000 for this year's white baptisms.

Direct contact with nature is one of the reasons that hook those who start in "the white sport". This year getting hooked on skiing in La Covatilla will have another important reason: the drop in prices.

It is a good time to start skiing in the Sierra de Béjar. Those who live in Salamanca, Extremadura and Ávila will be able to ski at half price and without having to go to the Pyrenees. The season pass costs 345€ (650€ the previous year). The daily ski pass costs € 29 in high season and € 20 in low season, € 30 less than the previous year.

The novelty of this year is the low season pass : a pass for skiing during the week for € 200. The consistory hopes to encourage skiers, who usually wait for the weekend.

Very close to La Covatilla is the Natural Park of Las Batuecas, a natural and artistic set more than recommended. You can even find fluffy moss beds in the middle of the forest.