Candanchú, Valle del Aragón: comprehensive lighting renovation to protect the night sky at one of the Pyrenees’ most iconic ski resorts

CANDANCHÚ —24/7/2025— The urban core of the Candanchú ski resort has undergone a complete renovation of its outdoor lighting system with next-generation LED technology, in a project aimed at reducing energy consumption, minimizing light pollution, and ensuring long-term durability with zero maintenance in an extreme alpine environment.

The initiative, led by the Municipality of Aísa under the leadership of Mayor José Antonio Plasencia and executed by ATP Lighting, has transformed the town's nighttime appearance and reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable tourism model.

Located in the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees at over 1,500 meters above sea level, Candanchú is a historic symbol of winter tourism in Spain. Founded in 1928, it is one of the oldest ski resorts in the country. In addition to its strong sports identity, the town stands out for its proximity to the Camino de Santiago, its connection to  Parque Natural de los Valles Occidentales and its exceptional ecological value. Within this demanding environmental context, the lighting upgrade has been designed as an exemplary project, balancing functionality, sustainability, and visual harmony.

Night sky protection: a commitment to Starlight standards

The renovation was carried out under strict Starlight criteria to minimize light pollution in a location that is both environmentally sensitive and ideal for astrotourism.

The installed LED luminaires, with an ultra-warm color temperature of 2200 K and a blue light emission —below 440 nm wavelength— of less than 1.63%, ensure minimal impact on nocturnal wildlife, circadian rhythms, and sky visibility. This advanced lighting solution complies with the most demanding international standards for night sky protection.

Uniformity, efficiency, and visual comfort in extreme conditions

Thanks to a custom lighting study and tailor-made optics, the new system achieves uniformity levels above 0.6, even in areas with challenging terrain. This homogeneous light distribution significantly improves visibility and spatial perception, enhancing safety for both residents and visitors.

The project also brought a major leap in energy efficiency. 75 W LED luminaires —dimmed to 60 W in some areas— deliver more than 70% energy savings compared to the previous discharge-based system.

Integrated aesthetics and maintenance-free durability

A key aspect of the project was the visual homogenization of the town's lighting system. Previously, Candanchú featured a mix of luminaires from various brands and models. Now, the entire system has been unified using ATP’s Pescador model with Comfort Diffuser®, eliminating glare and aligning aesthetically with the traditional mountain architecture.

In addition, all metallic poles have been replaced with ATP-engineered polymer columns, fully immune to corrosion. This is a critical measure in high-mountain areas where road salt used by snowplows rapidly degrades metal structures, causing safety risks, malfunctions, and high maintenance costs. With ATP’s polymer solution, this issue is entirely resolved, ensuring a long service life with no corrective interventions.

A model project in a unique setting

Candanchú strengthens the broader strategy of Valle del Aragón to position itself as a benchmark in sustainable tourism. Its proximity to the Somport Pass, the Camino de Santiago, and the French border —along with its extreme climate (average winter lows of –9 °C and over 120 days of snowfall annually) and gradual urban modernization— makes it an ideal testing ground for lighting systems designed for the most demanding environments.

Executed with technical rigor and environmental sensitivity, this project proves that infrastructure can be modernized without compromising the surrounding ecosystem —guaranteeing both public safety and the protection of the night sky.