The President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, has laid the cornerstone for the cable car that will connect the ski resorts of Astún and Candanchú in the Aragonese Pyrenees. This project, framed within the area of Environment and linked to the Presidency of the Government, is designed as a strategic infrastructure for snow and mountain tourism. The project entails an investment of over 29 million euros and is estimated to generate an economic impact of up to 11.5 million euros annually in the region.
Presentation Event and Project Objectives
The cornerstone-laying ceremony took place this Thursday, with President Jorge Azcón as the main institutional figure. Azcón described the cable car as the most significant mountain infrastructure project currently under execution throughout the Pyrenees, calling it a “historic day.” The direct connection between Astún and Candanchú will eliminate the current road travel of approximately six kilometers and will help create a more competitive and attractive ski area.
According to Azcón, this link will strengthen Aragon’s positioning as a leading destination for snow and mountain tourism. It is expected to generate new opportunities for economic development, job creation, and retention of population in the region, with positive effects on hotels, restaurants, small businesses, transportation, and the overall economic fabric of the area.
Technical Features and Cable Car Timeline
The infrastructure will be a state-of-the-art detachable monocable cable car, equipped with ten-passenger cabins manufactured by LEITNER. The route will have a length of 3,595 meters, divided into two sections connected by an intermediate station located in the Piedras Rojas area. The journey will connect the base of Candanchú, near the Pista Grande, with the arrival point of the Pastores chairlift in Astún, taking just over ten minutes.
The initial phase of the construction aims to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 season and involves the commissioning of 24 cabins, capable of transporting up to 600 people per hour. The project includes two subsequent expansions that would increase the maximum capacity to 2,400 travelers per hour.
Financing, Institutional Recognition, and Year-Round Use
The project is funded by the Government of Aragon, the Provincial Council of Huesca, and European funds from the Sustainable Tourism Plans for Destinations. Furthermore, the project has been declared an Investment of Autonomous Interest and a Project of General Interest for Aragon, highlighting its strategic relevance for the community.
The cable car is designed to operate year-round, facilitating access to the mountains for hiking, active tourism, and other outdoor activities. Thus, the infrastructure will contribute to the despecialization of tourism and the diversification of the offering in the Valley of Aragon.
The Astún-Candanchú cable car is presented as a key infrastructure for the Aragonese Pyrenees, combining objectives to improve tourism competitiveness, increase local economic impact, create jobs, and revitalize the Valley of Aragon through intensive use of the mountains both in the snow season and throughout the rest of the year.
