Your first view of Astun reveals a futuristic looking, purpose-built centre, located in a treeless valley above Candanchu – another ski area with which it shares a lift pass.

Astun has about 25 miles of runs and a better mix of terrain the most Spanish ski areas, and some nifty uplift provided by two double and two quad chairs. Serious skiers have nine blacks to enjoy, the toughest being La Raca, and runs are up to four miles long over the 2000 foot vertical.

Astun takes itself so seriously it has pout in bids to host two Winter Olympics – losing the 2002 attempt to Salt Lake and 2010 to Vancouver.