Candanchú, the oldest ski resort in Spain, next to the Somport.

Candanchú is at the head of the Aragón valley, next to the Somport pass and the French border, a few minutes from Canfranc Estación along the N-330. It presents itself as the oldest ski resort in Spain: its origins date from 1928 and its first chairlift from 1945. Today it shares a lift pass with Astún, on the other side of the mountain: together they total 101 km.

Pistes, altitudes and lifts

50.5 km and 57 pistes: 12 green, 14 blue, 18 red and 13 black. 22 lifts, chairlifts and magic carpets together. The base is at 1,530 metres and the summit, Tuca Blanca, at 2,400. It has four sectors: Pista Grande, where almost all the greens are; Rinconada, with long blues; Tuca Blanca, and Tobazo, with no greens or blues. 135 cannons cover 8 km.

How much it costs in 2026-27

The lift pass is Astún-Candanchú. Online, the adult day (12 to 64 years) costs €54.50, and the child (6 to 11) and senior (65 and over), €46.50. At the ticket office, €59.50 and €50.50; the baby pass, up to 5 years, €25.50 with an adult. The half day, from 13:00, €44.50. The card costs €3 and is not refundable. In mid-November the opening date was still to be confirmed.

Hire and lessons

Hire is in the Pista Grande café: skis, boards, boots and helmets; the rate is given at the shop depending on days and whether it comes with a lift pass (663 543 930). The Escuela Oficial de Esquí de Candanchú gives private lessons from age 4, group courses of five from age 6 and runs the Candanchulandia snow garden, for ages 3 to 7.

Getting there and parking

From Huesca, take the A-23 to Jaca and the N-330 through Canfranc to Candanchú; from Zaragoza, Astún-Candanchú is 168 km. Parking at the foot of the pistes and a free shuttle between car parks, the housing development and the accesses. The Mancomunidad Alto Valle del Aragón runs a regular Jaca–Astún–Candanchú bus line. Take chains: the N-330 climbs to the Somport.