Diputación de Huesca has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism outlining a plan to finance a major regional initiative. The project would be supported through the Plan for Improvement, Transformation and Resilience (PRTR), a funding mechanism tied to Aramón, the mixed company that operates the ski facilities in Aragón, and the Mancomunidad del Aran. The target is to create a connected ski corridor linking Candanchú, Astún and Formigal for visitors and regional communities alike. The anticipated budget totals 34 million euros, added to roughly 30 million euros requested in earlier phases of the project. In public remarks, the Minister of State for Tourism confirmed that a financing package around this level could be viable given current priorities and allocations.
On Tuesday, several environmental and social organizations from Aragón—including Friends of Earth, Ecologists in Action, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife and WWF—participated in a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Their message was clear: they want the government to halt financing of the project with European funds. The proposed collaboration of Candanchú, Astún and Formigal sits within the Pyrenees of Aragón and would require substantial PRTR resources to move forward.
NGOs sent a formal letter to the Ministry outlining their concerns and indicating willingness to report the project to the Ecological Transition Office and to the European Union if they believe European funds are misused. The organizations stress the need for prudent, accountable spending and a transparent review of potential environmental trade-offs before any approval.
In their assessment, the coalition argues that the project could run counter to climate change scenarios and place several sensitive habitats under new stress. They caution that Candanchú, Astún and Formigal occupy a network of delicate mountain ecosystems that are already under pressure, and that the plan might fail to meet the principle of avoiding significant harm to the environment. As a result, they question whether PRTR funding should be used for this initiative.
The critics note that the union of the ski areas would entail substantial infrastructure investment, projected to surpass 60 million euros and to be financed through PRTR funds distributed by the Ministry. They reference the Ministry’s November announcement of 33 million euros allocated to PRTR Tourism Sustainability Plans in Aragón, framing the proposal as part of a broader commitment to regional tourism development.
According to the NGOs, financing both the Candanchú–Astún–Formigal cluster and related projects with the same pool of funds could present an inconsistency. They warn that if the project proceeds, it could trigger environmental impacts on already vulnerable ecosystems. They point to projections from the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory that emphasize the role of artificial snow production in winter tourism and the consequent energy demands, urging decision-makers to consider long-term ecological costs.
In response, the environmental groups informed the department headed by Reyes Maroto that continued PRTR support for the ski-resort alliance would prompt a formal appeal to the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge and to the European Union regarding the use of European funds. They stressed the importance of upholding environmental safeguards and ensuring compliance with applicable European and national policies as part of any financing decision.
Environmental organizations are calling for a careful evaluation and are urging decision-makers to weigh the sustainability implications before advancing with the funding. They advocate for an approach that prioritizes ecological integrity and resilience in mountain landscapes while seeking cleaner, more sustainable tourism models for Aragón.
The government defends it
Fernando Valdés, the Minister of State for Tourism, spoke with the press in support of the merger of the ski areas, describing the plan as a long-awaited consolidation. He argued that bringing Astún and Candanchú together first, followed by a link with Formigal, would elevate Aragón to a leading position among world-class snow destinations. He emphasized the goal of establishing Aragón as a preferred destination for mountain and nature tourism in international markets, highlighting the potential economic and visitor benefits that could follow such a strategy.
The Aramón board president reiterated ongoing investments aimed at expanding ski slopes for the remainder of the current season and confirmed the plan to coordinate with the Valleys of Aragón and Tena for a future phase. The organization signaled that a second project could be presented under the new call for Next Generation European funds to continue the development program.
Should the project proceed, the result would be a ski area of substantial scale, comparable to some of the larger operations in the Alps, integrated with regional tourism and environmental considerations. The public-private partnership envisions a coordinated, strategic approach to growth that aligns with broader regional and European goals for sustainable tourism and growth. A full statement from the signatories is available separately for review.
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