I have had a number of people asking me for details on how to get to Madrid ski resorts and, having written an article on Recommended Excursions from Madrid recently, I thought it might be a good idea to create a link to the map for Madrid’s Cercanias trains. The Cercanias (or local) train network in Madrid is excellent – it is reasonably priced (ridiclously cheap compared to the UK!), always on time and very clean. You also have one or two trains which are "double decker"-style. The Cercanias train system goes out in all directons from the main stations in Madrid: Atocha, Chamartin and Nuevos Ministerios.
Included on the network are El Escorial, Cercedilla and Alcalá de Henares. If you’re a walker, or skier, you will need to look at the villages/towns on the C8 and C9 line.