Two ski resorts lie about 30km north of Jaca, close to the French border, accessible via the N-330 road to Canfranc. Candanchú is the older of the two, established in 1928, with terrain that suits intermediate skiers and a loyal following. Astún, opened in 1968, is larger and offers better facilities and more challenging runs, with north-facing slopes that hold snow well. Together they give Jaca its character as a winter sports town as much as a summer hiking base.
Neither resort is as large or as internationally known as the big French or Andorran alternatives, but they are well suited to a few days of uncrowded skiing without the high prices of the major resorts. In January and February, Jaca itself is quiet and cheap, and the daily drive up to the slopes takes under an hour. A ski pass covers both resorts. The Canfranc International Station — the abandoned French-Spanish border station at the entrance to the Somport Tunnel — is passed on the way up and is worth a look.