Kronplatz, in German, or Plan de Corones, in Italian, was named after the mountain peaks that remind of a rooster's crest. Appropriately, the red rooster's head was chosen as the resort's trade mark.
The Kronplatz resort is located in northern Italy, deep in the Dolomites and South Tyrol, on the border with Austria. Austrian influence here is very high so it is often the case that locals speak better German than Italian and everything is always titled in both languages. Ski resort is accessible from Bolzano-Innsbruck highway, or from a local road from the Austrian town of Lienz.
Ski resort rises from 975 to 2275 meters above sea level and is surrounded by 13 villages. The central point is the picturesque village of Bruneck/Brunico. Then there is the village of St. Vigil/San Vigilio, which is the most expensive village because it is situated right on the slopes. The villages of OlangValdaora and Reischach/Riscone are situated close to cable cars. Then there are the villages of Rasen/Rasun, St. Georgen/San Giorgio, St. Lorenzen/San Lorenzo… Christmas time here is really nice, especially in Brunico (photo on the right) where Christmas market opens each December.
The fact that there are more than 300 sunny days per year makes this resort one of the most beautiful in Italy. There are 40 categorized ski slopes with the total length of approximately 105 km, most of them beign blue/red. All the slopes are very wide and long, which makes them ideal for begginers, families with kids or intermediate skiers. There are 6 black slopes, 11 red, and even 23 blue runs! Also, depending on the weather, there is 150 km of cross-country slopes (nearby is the world famous Antholz/Anterselva biathlon center).
Kronplatz is most famous by its perfectly groomed ski slopes in all weather conditions, and very long runs - almost all are over one kilometer long, and the longest ones have more than five kilometers.
More experienced skiers will be thrilled by three black runs. Sylvester and Herrnegg runs, with the length of 5 km each, both facing Brunico, and the recently opened Piculin, the steepest of them, that connects Kronplatz with Alta Badia. Somewhat shorter run on Furcia pass, used as the FIS slalom/giant slalom course, and as a training polygon is also very nice.
Blue-red Olang run (4.5 km) is also worth a try, even for novice skiers. The longest downhill run that connects four slopes has a length of 7.5 km and goes from the very top (2275 m) to San Vigilio (1224 m). Beginners will be delighted with almost flat 2km long Miara blue run (photo on the right). Apart from being one of the most perfect places for the forst ski steps, it is also known by ostriches (!) who are situated in a small hut near the slope and like to take a walk around when the wather is warm.
For snowboarders there is a brand new snowpark, the largest snowpark in south Tyrol.
There is not much place for freeride here - only beetwen trees in a magnificent pine wood or at Piculin area.
One look at a ski lifts list suggests that this is one of the welthiest ski resorts in the region, equipped with 19 cable cars and 6 modern chairlifts. There are no T-bars here, except 5 that are installed on the nearby hills, not connected to the main resort.
Perfect snow conditions are secured by huge army of snowguns - 264 of them! Artificial snow is made even with the temperatures being above zero, so it is no surprise that the Kronplatz opens the season way before the neighbouring ski resorts. The know-how of making mixture of natural and artifical snow makes this resort one with the best prepared slopes.
Regular investments in the resort each year result in new slopes and ski lifts, as well as ancillary services. Back in 1963, the resort had only 4 ski lifts. One cable car spreads over San Vigilio connecting two opposite slopes.
There are numerous restaurants, bars and mountain inns where you can take a rest, a snack or simply enjoy the beautiful view. Bare in mind that closer you are to the central part of the resort, prices get expensier. For example, central self-catering restaurant next to the Olang cable car is slightly more expensive than other, smaller restaurants.
If you don't like crowded places and loud music, look for the small mountain huts far away from central position, such as the one at the top of Piculin cable car (photo on the left). Prices here are more afordable, cakes are EUR 2.60, pasta around EUR 7 and main dishes around EUR 10-11.
For meat lovers, we reccomend the C.A.I. restaurant situated at the slopes leading to Brunico. Huge portion of spareribs is EUR 13, and other meals have simmilar price as well. Prices on Kronplatz are somewhat higher than in neighboring, smaller ski resorts. Coca-Cola costs about EUR 3.20, goulash EUR 5.50, and a pizza-cut or a hot dog in the fast-food at the top of the resort is around EUR 2.50. Interesting and priceworthy place is "Kiosk Toni" (photo on the right) which has everything - from sun cream, goggles, souvenirs to very cheap drinks - 0.5L of natural water or can of soda for only EUR 1!
At the top of the mountain there is the biggest ring bell in the Alps, called "Concordia 2000". It weighs 18.100 kg and has a 3 m diameter at its widest part.
As for the après ski life, in addition to many cafes, restaurants and taverns in Brunico, there is a disco club, so called "stable", in Riscone with a classic disco-dance program. We suggest a visit to the "Piano bar", situated in a cellar furnished in wood, with live music and parties lasting until small hours. Discos exist in the center of Olang, and probably in San Vigilio. You shouldn't miss après ski parties in many bars, restaurants, or, literally, large wooden barrels at the bottom of the ski resort.
In case of bad weather, you can choose between strolling down the historic center of Brunico or even plan a trip to the nearby resorts of Cortina d`Ampezzo (40 km), Alta Badia (40 km) or the beautiful old city Bozen/Bolzano (85 km) in Italy and Innsbruck (115 km) in Austria.
Kronplatz is highly recommended as a great family destination, and for skiers who prefer to ski on well prepared slopes and don't want to bother with difficult runs. Kronplatz is a part of the Dolomiti Superski complex that includes 12 ski resorts with more than 1220 km of slopes covered by one skipass. When you buy your skipass, you will receive a deposit-free hands-free key-card. Keep in mind that you can use it to check your daily performance on Dolomiti Superski website.
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