The ski resort of Candanchu is located in the Spanish province of Huesca in the Pyrenean Mountains of Aragon. This little known ski resort tends not to feature in many of the large tour operators’ brochures but many see this as a blessing, as the resort avoids the crowds of some of its better known neighbours.
To its fans, Candanchu ski resort offers some excellent skiing amid the stunning scenery of the Pyrenees. In addition, together with the neighbouring resort of Astun, there are nearly 90kms of pistes, including some tough black runs to challenge the most proficient of skiers. Barcelona is the nearest international airport but it mainly caters to a Spanish clientele.
Facilities within the resort include restaurants, cafés, bars, a disco, the usual equipment hire shops and a ski school with 95 instructors. There are sauna and massage facilities to ease your aching muscles after a hard day's skiing and, if you're travelling with kids, you can leave them in the care of the Candanchulandia nursery, which accepts children between the ages of six months and six years old. Lovers of après-ski late night entertainment are advised to go to nearby Jaca, which has a number of bars and restaurants catering to visitors from Candanchu.
The village of Candanchu is at an altitude of 1,560m and the highest peak in the resort rises to 2,400m. There are nine green runs, eight blues, 14 reds and 17 blacks. The runs are served by six chairlifts and 19 draglifts. The resort has a snow park, ski jump, half-pipe for snowboarders and a good range of cross-country trails for skiers of all abilities.
Visitors to Candanchu should check out the nearby town of Jaca, which is steeped in history and has many sights to savour. There is an interesting museum and cathedral to visit as well as the impressive 16th century Ciutadella fortress, built on the outskirts of the town by order of King Felipe II when he feared invasion by the French.
The season runs from December to May, with the cheapest times being in the first three weeks of December. Pamplona is the regional hub and can be reached by daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona. From Pamplona, take the road towards Jaca.
