Who are we and why choose us?
We are two separate but closely connected companies providing ski services for clients planning a visit to Sierra Nevada.
Together, British Ski Center and Sierra Essence specialise in helping English-speaking visitors make the most of their time in the resort.
Our ski school (British Ski Center) is known for its professionalism and dedication to every client. We take pride in the quality of our teaching and the care we provide, which is why many clients return to us year after year. At Sierra Essence, our strong relationships with hotels and accommodation providers also help us deliver a smooth and well-coordinated experience.
Above all, we are dedicated to you. By combining our in-depth knowledge of Sierra Nevada with a personal, attentive approach, we tailor our support to the experience you want. Many of our team lives (or has lived) in and loves the resort, so you can rely on practical guidance from people who know it well.
We have the experience, local knowledge, and trusted contacts to make your journey to the slopes easier. We are legally established in Spain and speak your language—so why not choose us for your Sierra Nevada holiday?
Sierra Essence
Since the early 2000’s, we have helped clients arrange accommodation in Sierra Nevada. Over time, this service expanded to include everything needed for a ski trip. To support this, we established Turismo Sierra Essence S.L., a Spanish-registered intermediary agency.
With the exception of flights, we can arrange all the essentials for your ski holiday, making the process quick, easy, and fully tailored to your needs. Our principal services include arranging:
We are not a travel agent; we operate as an intermediary agency. Through seasonal contracts with our service providers, we offer a select range of accommodations to help create and complement your ski trip to Sierra Nevada. Although we do not own accommodation, we work with a variety of service providers on an on-request basis to meet your specific needs. Our clients return to Sierra Nevada year after year and continue to book their services through us because they value our personalised approach.
Our contracts with hoteliers and agents operate on a prepayment basis, so the funds we receive from our clients are passed directly to the accommodation provider. The cancellation terms for each booking are set by the relevant accommodation provider. This means you receive the same financial guarantees as you would when booking directly with the hotel, while benefiting from our preferential rates.
When you book with us, you also benefit from the support of our in-resort staff and assistance throughout your holiday. We can liaise with your accommodation provider to help ensure your requirements are met, share local recommendations for the best restaurants, and provide translation support when needed.
Ski passes are essential for your trip, but booking them in advance can be stressful. We take care of the arrangements for you, securing your passes ahead of time at the best available rate.
Transfers: We work closely with a trusted local company that operates a large fleet of chauffeur-driven vehicles in a range of sizes. Transfers can be tailored to your specific needs, including journeys to and from the main regional airports.
British Ski Center
Our ski school offers high-quality, enjoyable ski and snowboard tuition in Sierra Nevada. Our team is made up primarily of native English-speaking instructors, supported by fluent English-speaking instructors of other nationalities, ensuring that our English-speaking guests feel completely at ease.
Founded in 2002, British Ski Center has grown significantly in both size and popularity, thanks not only to the quality of our instruction but also to the personal attention we provide to help your holiday run as smoothly as possible.
All our instructors are fully qualified, contracted, and insured in accordance with Spanish law.
Throughout the ski season, we maintain a dedicated presence in Sierra Nevada, with two office locations: one at the Intersport Rio Sport equipment hire shop in Plaza de Andalucía (Edificio Montebajo, next to the Tia Maria restaurant); and another in the central ski area of Borreguiles, (accessible via the Al-Andalus and Borreguiles gondolas).
Your lessons will start and finish at our Borreguiles office.
We offer tuition for all ages and ability levels, from standard two-hour sessions to bespoke arrangements tailored to your requirements, including GCSE and A-Level ski and snowboard assessments.
The team
Giles
Owner of "TSE" and co-founder and owner of "BSC", with over 40 years ski experience. Giles discovered Sierra Nevada in 1996 as resort manager for Neilson Ski. Between 2001 & 2018 he worked his way up through the ski instructor qualifying ranks with the Spanish ski federation, qualified as TD3 (Técnico Deportivo Superior) since 2018. Giles combined resources and a strong client base with Jonathan in 2002 to setup the "BSC". Giles’s experience, professionalism and enthusiasm to enhance anyone’s ski level are resulting factors from his dedication to the business and adoration for snow.
Jonathan
Co-founder and owner of BSC, Jonathan has worked in Sierra Nevada since 1991. His ski experience stretches almost into the dark ages with early resort experiences in the Italian alps. A qualified TD2 instructor (via the Spanish ski federation), Jonathan is often the first on the slopes and last off. Jonathan joined forces with Giles in 1996 initially assisting Giles with airport transfers for his tour operations occupation. Promptly the friendship developped into the creation of "BSC" in 2002. His passion for the snow and pride in the business is undeniable, lending to top quality instruction.
Amy
BSC’s longest running team member, Amy is a firm favourite with families and their kids. A true role model to BSC and a fundamental asset in our growth over the years, Amy's cheeky and jovial nature, energy and enthusiasm generate hugely positive results and it’s little wonder that, time and time again, she is repeatedly requested by our returning clients.
Kristel
The efficient and effective day to day operations is essentially down to Kristel’s incredible organisational skills at our office base. Kristel has formed a vital part of the team for a number of seasons now, establishing the vital link between client and instructor in arranging the perfect tuition package option to suit everyone’s requirements.
Lynn
Lynn, a mountain biking enthusiast, joined Sierra Essence operations in 2017. She plays a vital and highly efficient role in arranging your accommodation, ski passes and transportation needs! Nothing is too much trouble for Lynn, you'll see!!!
This is our fabulous office team ready to welcome you to Sierra Nevada!