Ski resorts in Spain are becoming more popular with winter holidaymakers while maintaining their competitive prices, it has been claimed.

According to Homes Worldwide, Spain’s ski resorts were largely “ignored by anyone outside the country” until recently, but are now gaining a reputation as some of the best skiing locations in Europe.

In addition, resorts such as those in the Sierra Nevada have a unique selling point which other popular skiing destinations such as France and Switzerland cannot compete with - their proximity to the Costa del Sol means that holidaymakers can take to the slopes and then sunbathe on the beach a couple of hours later.

The website stated: “If you are thinking of investing in a Spanish property, perhaps its time to consider the slopes as well as the costas.”

Property owners may not have to make this choice, however, as the relatively short distance from the Sierra Nevada National Park to Costa del Sol locations such as Malaga and Velez-Malaga allows people to enjoy the best of both worlds - winter snow and summer sun.

Foreign buyers now account for one in seven properties sold in Malaga province, according to figures recently reported by southern Spanish newspaper Sur.

A growing number of people from around the world are choosing to spend the festive period in Spain, according to new research.

The study by Co-operative Travel shows that an Iberian Christmas is particularly popular among Britons, with the majority of people favouring Spain over any other destination for their December holidays.

With temperatures reaching up to 17 degrees C on the Costa del Sol over Christmas, the warm climate is one the principal attractions for British people heading to Spain at this time of year, Homes Worldwide reports. Of course, the country’s top ski resorts also draw a large number of winter holidaymakers from the UK and further afield.

Managing director of Kyero.com Martin Dell told the website: “The festive period in Spain is thoroughly enjoyable - the emphasis is on spending time with friends and family.

“We have seen more and more people choosing to spend their Christmas at their second home in Spain, making good use of the property year round.”

Heavy snowfall at Sierra Nevada resorts earlier this month has suggested that this year will bring a long and booming ski season to Spain.

While many British homeowners in Spain make the move in order to enjoy sun-baked summers on the southern Costas, top-draw winter skiing is also an Iberian possibility, with this year promising to be a stellar one for snow-seekers.

With weather conditions primed for enjoying the slopes to their full potential, top skiing locations like the Sierra Nevada have already opened their charms to hoards of skiers.

Andalusian mountain range the Sierra Nevada is a favourite with Brits taking advantage of the frequent budget flights into Costa del Sol hub Malaga – the slopes are in close proximity to the beach resorts that make it a summer hit as well.

Heavy snowfall last week made the December 1st opening date possible for the Sierra Nevada and ski resorts further north in the Pyrenees, but it is not yet clear how many of the Sierra’s 87 kilometres can yet be enjoyed.

A surprisingly warm winter in 2006 kept skiing to a minimum, but this year’s conditions look set to favour a long and thriving season of winter sports.

Property in the Costa del Sol is already a strong favourite among Brits who want the sun they cant find at home, but demand could increase even further should the Sierra Nevada provide the winter of top skiing it looks set to.

Costa del Sol property seekers with an eye for culture could be given a new incentive to invest in the Malaga area, with local authorities giving the green light for a large scale museum development in the area.

Local urban planning authorities (Gerencia Municipal de Urbanismo) have approved plans for an old tobacco factory to be converted into museum space – with grand plans set to be carried out by 2009.

Plans now envisage completion of an automobile museum, and an Art Natura museum on the site by mid 2009, which would add to the region’s cultural appeal and provide even more reasons for people to visit Malaga.

Antique cars would feature in the first museum for completion, it was claimed, while the Art Natura project, likely to contain sculptures, precious stones and much to discover about the world of rocks and minerals, would take longer to complete.

The Malaga province is already a favourite for its stunning beaches, winter skiing not far off in the Sierra Nevada, and top range property – with local authorities now hoping that the tobacco factory renovation will add cultural appeal to Malaga’s perks.