Kronplatz is a young, dynamically developing resort (German: Kronplatz, Italian: Plan de Corones), equipped with the most modern equipment. The 114 km long ski tracks are served by 32 ski lifts. There are also: 110 km of tracks for cross-country skiing, 4 kindergartens for the little ones, 3 km of lighted “night” tracks. The resorts of the region are small villages at the foot of the Kronplatz mountain (2275 m), at the top of which it seems that the sky is about to fall on your head!
The area is amazingly picturesque even for the Alps and rich in skiing opportunities. Ski lifts take skiers to the mountain plateau from the villages of Olang, Raisa and San Vigilio di Marebbe. This region is imbued with the spirit of Tyrol, and sometimes it seems as if you are in neighboring Austria. This is facilitated by the very wide use of the German language, which is unusual for Italy. And Innsbruck is much closer from here than from some Austrian resorts.
In Kronplatka, there are excellent opportunities for both mountain and cross-country skiing, and the local service combines Austrian conscientiousness and Italian traditions, and the cuisine includes the best dishes of both countries.
Nearest airports: Venice (277 km), Verona (212 km), Innsbruck (117 km).
The region is part of the Dolomites Superskipass, which unites 460 lifts.
Half-pipe 110 m, which meets the requirements of the FIS.
The ski season here lasts from the beginning of December to the end of April.
Kronplatz: about the regions
The local villages and towns of the region are located on different sides from the top of Kronplatz. In this sense, the region is unique: there are few places in the Alps where from one point you can go absolutely in any direction, for all 360 degrees: the tracks fan out in all directions.
Map of Kronplatz trails
The largest and most famous among local resorts is Brunico or Brunek. This ancient city arose in the middle of the 13th century and gradually turned into the main city of the valley. Today, it has about 15,000 inhabitants, but in winter life in Brunico is hectic, especially compared to other towns and villages in the region. Here in the “old” city there are several colorful medieval streets with shops, bars and restaurants, but in general the city lives a modern life and has a more business atmosphere. You can go down to Brunico (more precisely, to the town of Riscone) on skis, but for this you have to overcome one of the long (more than 5 km) and quite difficult (by local standards, at least) black tracks. For those who have repeatedly ridden the Austrian red tracks, they will not be a problem, but for beginners, it is better to choose the way “home” in the cabin.
Reischach is a village from where you can directly get to the top of Kronplatz . Since a large number of tourists come here every day in winter for this purpose, a backup for the already existing lift was built here. And thus, now there are two capacious cabin lifts “Kronplatz 1” (No. 100) and “Kronplatz 2000” (No. 102), which very quickly take skiers and snowboarders to the top – to a height of 2275 m. The third lift serves training slopes, which are located here at the very foot of the mountain.
In the evening, when the bulk of the people descend back, the most noisy and fun après-ski parties begin here. In addition, there are two outdoor skating rinks, a sledding track and a new large aqua and wellness center “Cron4”. In general, this is a very quiet and peaceful village, surrounded by agricultural fields, where life rages only around sports and tourist facilities. From other villages, you have to take a ski bus to the lifts.
The village of Valdaora is also part of the Kronplatz skiing area and is connected by bus to the ski slopes and the biathlon stadium in Antholz-Anterselva.
For snowboarders, there is a modern snow park “Plan de Corones”, equipped with springboards, boxes and handrails. When purchasing a single ski pass “Dolomiti Superski”, guests of the Kronplatz resort can ski at 12 resorts that are part of the “Dolomiti-Super-Ski” skiing region.
The second most popular and largest resort, and probably the most suitable for accommodation, is San Vigilio di Marebbe. Several excellent four-star hotels are located in it, and those with 3* on their facades are often not inferior to them. From San Vigilio, the tracks diverge to opposite sides of the valley. Beginners and those who are learning can ride on the side of Piculin in the first half of the day, there are several wide, easy tracks. The Piculin black track, which runs along the other side of the mountain, can be really difficult, especially at the beginning and end of the season, when there is still little natural snow. But for experienced skiers, it is definitely worth a visit.
On a black-black track…
The Black Five – five “black” tracks of Kronplatz
Kronplatz is a popular resort in South Tyrol and one of the most interesting destinations in the Dolomiti Superski region, offering a total of over 116 km of pistes. Most of them are comfortable and marked in blue or red on the diagram. However, despite this, the resort has plenty of wide carving runs and there are some really challenging red runs, such as the new Ried. And, of course, the pride of the resort is The Black Five.
Perhaps the most spectacular black track of the resort is Piculin, above which there is a cabin (the best option for those who have never dared to test their strength on this slope). The track is on the other side of the Piz de Plaes summit and is the only way to ski or snowboard down to the stop of the free bus to Alta Badia and Sella Ronda. It was Piculin that the popular German website skiresort.de recognized as the “Best Black Track”.
On a slope with a length of 2 kilometers, experienced skiers can expect a height difference of 500 meters and a quite serious slope (according to some data, it exceeds 72% on part of the track) – not too experienced skiers and snowboarders, having fallen in the middle part of the track, continue their inertial movement practically before rolling out. Although “Pikulin” starts quite innocently – a flat road that gradually turns into a really steep slope.
Two more famous and long pistes, Sylvester (#1) and Herrnegg (#4) are located nearby, starting from the top of Kronplatz and descending to the bottom cable car station in Riskon (partially visible from the cabins from Riskon and Perky). The height difference of one and the other track is about 1300 meters, the length is about five kilometers (Hernegg is 150 meters longer). However, despite having roughly the same characteristics, they are markedly different. The Sylvester course has more twists and turns that pass through scenic forest. The winding of the track makes you forget about what you have experienced – especially since there is a pleasant restaurant waiting at the bottom (it is almost always full during the day).
Herrnegg is the longest black trail in the region, its length is 5,100 meters (not everyone has the strength to complete it from start to finish in one breath). This route is more direct, and at the beginning it is quite gentle. However, after a few turns, it becomes clear why it has a black label, without discounting the fact that someone does not know how to manage a serious slope. From the top, you can admire the view of the Pustertal Valley and the town of Brunico (Brunek) – the most beautiful (and largest) in the vicinity.
Some fans prefer to race only on these two tracks, competing with each other for the number of descents made. Tourists who find themselves on this slope for the first time are surprised to see how children in “shorts”, protective equipment and jackets with the words Ski Club San Vigilio (or any other Ski Club) rush past them. If the first sections of track No. 4 seemed too difficult, there is a “spare exit” at the top – the opportunity to traverse to the nearby red track and avoid falling. For those who immediately realized that Hernegg is not yet under their control, there is a “family” option – route #3 (Pramstall) runs almost parallel to it. It ends at the intermediate station of the new Ried lift (with heated seats), and further down you can go down only after Herrnegg.
Closer to the village of San Vigilio is the “sportiest” track of the region – Pre da Peres. It was recently expanded, and its left side is usually occupied by athletes. Local stars Manuela and Manfred Melgg also like to train here. And everyone can go down the main slope. However, the lower part of the track is not too difficult and more in line with the profile of a serious red.
Local ski clubs and serious athletes also train on the other side of the ski area, right above San Vigilio. The picturesque Erta track, which offers a wonderful panorama of the resort and the neighboring slopes, is one of the most interesting in the region, although it is not very long. With a length of 1,650 meters, Etra has a height difference of 418 meters, and it is here that the stages of the European Cup are held (usually in December). And right before the New Year, a ski show takes place on this track: instructors with torches in their hands descend to San Vigilio and jump through the burning ring.
Lovers of long runs will love the new Ried run, which leads to the lift of the same name, built right next to the train station (numbered 16 on the map). Officially, this track is red, but its lower part, especially when there is not too much snow (or already), is more like a not too difficult black. As it often happens, the seven-kilometer track begins quite innocuous (sometimes you even have to push with sticks), then turns into a beautiful red, and in places – black. It is on this route that there is the largest height difference in the region – 1355 meters. However, the other red tracks of Kronplatz are not much inferior to it, although they are noticeably shorter.
Restaurants and apres-ski in Kronplatz
The nightlife is not as lively as in many resorts in neighboring Austria, but all the towns in the region have a good selection of bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Many facilities are located in four-star hotels and near the lifts. At the bottom station of the cable car there are very popular bars K1, Giggeralm and Tenne. Tony’s apres-ski at the Olang lift attracts those who want to rest and warm up after skiing. Most four-star hotels have their own restaurants with South Tyrolean and Ladin cuisine. Among the favorite places for gourmets are the restaurant Schoneck and Tanzer in the town of Falzen. There are also many restaurants in Bruneck, the largest village in the region, in particular, Oberraut has good reviews.
Kronplatz: not only skiing
Traditionally, the International Ski Marathon and the International Festival of Snow Sculptures are held in January, and in March the carnival procession in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
The Kronplatz region includes Anterselva (Antholz), the most famous venue for biathlon competitions in Italy. The World Cup of this sport is held here annually. Recently, a new Cron4 wellness center was built in Kronplatka with 4 different pools (indoor and outdoor) and wide opportunities for recreation. On a free day, you can go on an excursion to Innsbruck or Bolzano.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the picturesque Brunico and its main street, the Stadtgasse, with its many shops. In December and until January 6, Brunico hosts a beautiful Christmas market in the afternoon (until 7 p.m.), where you can buy traditional Christmas treats, gifts, souvenirs and crafts from local artisans. In this medieval city with perfectly preserved ancient walls and a castle, MMM RIPA is located – a museum dedicated to the mountain peoples of the entire planet, created by the world-famous mountaineer and traveler Reinhold Messner. Recently, a prestigious Italian magazine recognized Brunico as the friendliest small town in Italy.
The neighboring idyllic villages are memorable for their special alpine atmosphere and also offer a wide range of entertainment. Together with the village of Riskone (Reischach) and the two main winter resorts, San Vigilio (San Vigil) and Valdaora (Olang), which are located right at the foot of the slopes, Kronplatz ranks among the best resorts in terms of accommodation options. From five-star to budget, as well as a variety of apartments and real peasant houses – Kronplatz has a lot to choose from.
Hotels in Kronplatka
The resort has many hotels, apartments and residences with a high level of service, which can simultaneously accommodate 24,464 people. Some have saunas, swimming pools, solariums. Hotels are located throughout the valley, in each of the largest towns there are more than 20 hotels. For parents who want to ride without children, it is better to choose Brunec, Val and Ora or San Vigilio di Marebbe.
In San Vigilio di Marebbe, almost all 4* hotels are of a high level, with their own spa centers and excellent cuisine. The Almhof Call 4* hotel has a large wellness center with saunas, a hammam, a relaxation room, and a pool with hydromassage. Recently built suites in a separate building are more in line with 5* hotels. Located a little further from the lifts (2 bus stops), Sporthotel Exclusive 3*S is a cozy family hotel with excellent cuisine and its own newly renovated spa center (the kind that not every “four” has): swimming pool, jacuzzi, saunas, hammam , terpidarium and massage rooms.
Spa center at Sporthotel Exclusive.
Kronplatz: with children
Kronplatz is an excellent choice for families with children. In the whole region, there are many easy trails for beginners, you can climb to the top without skis, which is convenient when traveling with small children. There are 12 toboggan runs in the region, two of them are 7 km long. During the season, a snow fortress with a labyrinth is built for children, and a special children’s entertainment program is provided. In Kronplatkathere are six ski schools with more than 200 instructors who speak different languages. In the skiing area, there are five ski kindergartens with safe and interesting tracks for children, children’s lifts and everything necessary. The resort offers half-day children’s programs, special menus in restaurants and modern equipment. Most restaurants have a children’s menu or children’s portions. In the Kids Safety Park, children will be able to get acquainted with the FIS rules in a playful way (for example, with the help of cartoons), learn how to behave correctly on the slopes while skiing. The lifts have a separate entrance for children, which allows for greater safety when boarding the cabins.
