Skiing in Portugal: Serra da Estrela Ski Resort Guide

Yes, you can ski in Portugal. The country’s only ski resort sits just below Torre (1,993m), the highest point in mainland Portugal, in the Serra da Estrela. It’s small and snow is never guaranteed, but on a good day it makes a fun first try at skiing.

Quick answer: the Serra da Estrela ski resort has 4 lifts and about 20 short runs between roughly 1,850m and 1,990m. The 2026–27 season officially starts on 12 December 2026, but the slopes only open when there’s enough snow; January to March is most reliable. A day pass is €30 for adults and €20 for children, sold online only.

What the resort is really like

The resort, run by Turistrela, sits on the N339 near Torre. Its piste map lists 11 marked runs, nine “natural” runs that open only after heavy snowfall, and a snowpark. Most runs are a few hundred metres long; the longest, Loriga, is about 1.7km, and the skiable drop is only about 140 metres.

• Lifts: one four-seat chairlift, two drag lifts and a beginners’ moving carpet.
• Snowmaking: cannons cover five runs, but only work in sub-zero, dry weather.
• Who it suits: beginners and children. Confident skiers will cover it all in a morning.

When is the ski season?

For 2026–27 the symbolic start date is 12 December, but the pistes open only when there’s enough natural or man-made snow. In 2025–26 skiing began on 18 December with three very easy runs; in 2023–24 it only started on 8 January. The resort says snow is most common from January to March, and the season can run into April.

• Hours: lifts usually run 9am–4:30pm, and 8am–3:30pm from 1 April. Shorter hours apply on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
• Bad days: weather, closed roads or thin snow can stop skiing at short notice. Check the status and webcams on skiserradaestrela.com that morning.

Lift pass, rental and lesson prices

These are the 2025–26 prices, still listed in the online shop in October 2026. Prices for 2026–27 may change.

Ticket	Adult	Child
Day pass, own equipment	€30	€20 (up to 12)
Day pass with rental	€60	€50 (ages 4–12)
Group lesson, 55 minutes	€55	€55 (ages 4+)

• Online only: nothing is sold at the resort. After buying, email the resort to book your date, between two weeks ahead and 9am the day before. Numbers are capped.
• No half-day pass: the day pass covers any time from 9am to 4:30pm, with lifts and accident insurance.
• No refunds: if snow, weather or roads stop you, the ticket stays valid until the end of the next season.

Rental and ski school

Rental includes boots, skis or a snowboard, poles and a helmet (compulsory for under-12s). There’s no clothing hire, so bring waterproofs, gloves and goggles. Lessons are in small groups by age and level, from age 4, and exclude the pass and rental. Email one to two weeks ahead to check availability.

Sledging and snow play for families

Sledges aren’t allowed on the pistes, and only skiers and snowboarders with a pass can enter the fenced resort; up to two adults may walk a child in, then must leave. There’s a sledging area at Torre, about 1.6km away, and the restaurants are open to everyone. See Portugal with kids.

The road up

Head for the base of the pistes on the N339, which crosses the range between Covilhã and Seia. From Covilhã it’s about 20km via Penhas da Saúde, and from Seia it climbs via Sabugueiro. Allow about 3 hours from Lisbon or 2 from Porto to Covilhã; the A23 and A25 are toll-free, the A1 isn’t. See driving in Portugal.

• Snow closures: the GNR shuts the roads to Torre when snow or ice makes them unsafe, advised by the Infraestruturas de Portugal snow-clearing centre at Piornos. A centimetre of snow can be enough. In 2026 they closed several times in January, for ten days from 2 February, and again in March and early April.
• Snow chains: the resort advises carrying them. Hiring a car? Ask about chains when you book.
• Before you go: check the road-access page on the resort’s website and the IPMA forecast. Driving past a closure is an offence.
• Parking: snow days bring crowds, so set off early.

Getting there without a car

CP Intercidades trains run from Lisbon to Covilhã in about 3.5 to 4 hours; the Beira Baixa line reopened in full on 20 September 2026. Buses up to the plateau are rare, so take a taxi from Covilhã (ask the price first) or join a tour. See the Portugal train guide.

Where to stay

• Penhas da Saúde: the closest beds, about 10 minutes’ drive from the slopes.
• Covilhã: the biggest town and safest base if the mountain road closes.
• Manteigas: a quiet town in the Zêzere glacial valley.
• Seia: on the western side, handy for cheese.

Book ahead: Penhas da Saúde is a small village with limited beds, so book early for snowy weekends and Christmas. See places to stay in Penhas da Saúde.

Make a weekend of it

• Cheese: winter is the season for spoonable Queijo Serra da Estrela, and Seia’s cheese fair usually runs around Carnival. See our Portuguese cheese guide.
• The glacial valley: drive the Zêzere valley from Manteigas to Covão d’Ametade, if it’s open after snow. See Serra da Estrela.
• Villages: Belmonte and Sortelha are within an hour of Covilhã. See the historic villages and Guarda.

FAQ

Can you ski in Portugal?

Yes, at one resort: Serra da Estrela, near Torre in central Portugal. It’s small and opens only when there’s enough natural or man-made snow.

When is the ski season in Portugal?

Usually from mid-December or early January to March, sometimes into April. The official 2026–27 start is 12 December 2026, but the snow decides.

How much is a lift pass in Serra da Estrela?

€30 for adults and €20 for children up to 12, or €60 and €50 with rental (2025–26 prices). Buy online and book your date by email.

Is skiing in Serra da Estrela worth it?

For beginners and families, yes. Experienced skiers will find it tiny and should look to Spain or the Alps.

More: Serra da Estrela and Portugal in winter.

See also: the best time to visit Portugal, Portugal in January and Portugal in February.

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