Industry News
Shocking pictures are reaching us from Astún Resort in northern Spain, where a ski lift collapsed today, January 18, injuring more than 30 people. According to initial information, nine are in critical condition, and there are also eight seriously injured, the government of the Aragon region in the northeast of the country said. While the cause of the accident is at this point unclear, it appears a problem with the support cable caused the bullwheel to come off the top station.
Approximately 80 people were stranded on the chairlift, fearing for their own safety until they were rescued by emergency services. Helicopters have been deployed to the region to take the injured to hospital and evacuate those stuck on the chairlift.
It has been reported that the lift in question was the Canal Roya, a four-person fixed-grip chair lift by REAC Group. It was constructed in 1989 and travels from the base station at 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) to the top station at 2,128 meters (6,960 feet). The uphill journey takes approximately 6 minutes and the hourly capacity is 2,400 people. It is one of four chair lifts in the resort. REAC Group is a Swedish company with lift manufacturing facilities in Poland.
The governor of the Aragon region, Jorge Azcon, is rushing to the resort together with Councillor Bermúdez de Castro to assess the situation firsthand .
Astún is a well-known ski resort nestled in the Aragón Valley of the Spanish Pyrenees, close to the French border. Situated at an altitude of 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) at its base and reaching 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) at its summit, the resort offers approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) of skiable terrain when combined with nearby Candanchú. Astún is equipped with 15 lifts, providing access to a range of slopes catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers, as well as off-piste areas for experts. With artificial snow coverage on key slopes, the resort ensures reliable conditions throughout its typical season, which runs from December to April. Its location near the border makes it convenient for exploring French resorts, such as Gourette (65 kilometers northeast), Cauterets (80 kilometers north), and La Mongie (90 kilometers north), all accessible within two to three hours by car. Astún also benefits from its proximity to Candanchú, just 3 kilometers away, with shared passes enabling access to both areas. The nearby town of Jaca, 33 kilometers away, provides additional accommodations, dining, and nightlife options. Accessible via the N-330 highway and the Somport Tunnel, Astún features modern facilities, including a ski school, rental shops, restaurants, and ski-in/ski-out accommodations, making it a convenient and attractive destination for skiers and snowboarders alike.
This is an evolving situation and we will keep you updated as information becomes available.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the accident.
Accidente en Astún. Se ha caído la silla de Canal Roya. Por suerte estamos bien pero hay heridos, hemos visto varias camillas bajando. Ánimo. #Astun pic.twitter.com/KiwVUrvCRQ
— Jaime Pelegrí (@jaimepele) January 18, 2025
Efectivos de la Comandancia de la Guardia Civil de Huesca, están colaborando en las tareas de auxilio tras un accidente en la estación de esquí de Astún donde se ha descolgado una línea de telesilla de 15 metros de altura. pic.twitter.com/ZQAzzUUtLP
— GuardiaCivilZaragoza (@guardiacivilzg) January 18, 2025
