Kronplatz Ski Resort Italy

Kronplatz Ski Resort (a.k.a. Plan de Corones) in the northern Dolomites has a whopping 1,325 vertical metres of ski and snowboard terrain to suit everyone - tick. Kronplatz Italy is located on the outskirts of the delightful Brunico (Bruneck) and has its own railway station (Perca/Percha) directly at a gondola base - tick. Kronplatz has incredible snow-making, lift infrastructure and perfect piste trails - tick.

The only thing that could make it better is being part of the Dolomiti Superski area - tick. Add direct train links to other Dolomiti ski areas like 3 Peaks Dolomites (a.k.a. Drei Zinnen) plus Sillian in Austria & an easy bus link to Alta Badia - tick. Certainly ticks a few boxes!

Pros & Cons for Kronplatz Ski Resort

Pros

• World's best for access to a ski resort by train (equal best with Folgarida-Marilleva & Switzerland’s Aletsch Arena).
• Excellent lift system – maybe world’s best & if not certainly world’s most comfortable!
• Superb beginner and intermediate on-piste terrain.
• Several excellent long advanced trails.
• World's best snow-making capabilities.
• Guaranteed quality snow on piste.
• Great city to explore nearby (Brunico).
• Loads of ski schools and family fun parks and trails.
• Numerous incredible accommodation options available, including several ski-in, ski-out.

Cons

• Can get remarkably busy during peak holiday periods.
• Not much for expert skiers & snowboarders, but the long runs will challenge everyone’s endurance!
• Snow quality on the lower pistes can be questionable.
• Limited off-piste.
• Relatively expensive lift pass local accommodation.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

• Is wonderful for on-piste skiers & snowboarders i.e. Groomerhounds.
• Constant removal of skis required due to all the gondolas!
• No single resort village but loads of options as a result.
• Ikon Pass is now valid in the resort for up to a week.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Kronplatz has some of the best on-piste terrain of any ski resort in Italy. The 1,325m of skiable vertical & nearly 120km of ski trails are all serviced by 33 lifts, including a dizzying 23 gondolas which extend in all directions from the summit. Kronplatz is the place to ski if one is not a fan of surface and chairlifts! The lift system can move a huge number of skiers & snowboarders extremely efficiently & is constantly being updated. One expects chairlifts at Kronplatz to move from an endangered species category to extinct in the very near future!

Check out the ski trail map for Kronplatz below.

Kronplatz Ski Trail Map

The Kronplatz on-piste terrain includes thigh quivering, full vertical descents of up to 10km in a beginner, intermediate and advanced trail combination from the summit down to Perca. In general, whilst there are some superb piste trails for advanced skiers, the ski resort is most suited to families, beginners & intermediates. Unless it has recently snowed, off-piste powder hunters should apply elsewhere!

Interlinked with Dolomiti Superski

Part of the Dolomiti Superski area, Kronplatz is a short train or bus ride away from several Dolomites ski resorts, the closest of which is Alta Badia, 11km from the Piculin gondola base at Piccolino. A ski bus links the Piculin gondola in Kronplatz to the Sponata chairlift in Alta Badia. From Alta Badia skiers can complete the popular Sella Ronda tour. Another Dolomiti Superski resort nearby is the delightful 3 Peaks Dolomites (Drei Zinnen), half an hour away by train direct to the ski lifts. See here for the Dolomiti Superski Resort Map.

Lift Passes

As with most Dolomites ski resorts, three ticketing options exist. The Kronplatz local lift pass is several €euro cheaper per day than the second option, a Dolomiti Superski pass. The third option is the international IKON Pass.

Anyone with an IKON Pass can ski up to 7-days shared between: Kronplatz/Plan de Corones, Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa/Carezza, Arabba/Marmolada, 3 Peaks Dolomites, Val di Fiemme/Obereggen, San Martino di Castrozza/Rolle Pass, Rio Pusteria - Bressanone, Alpe Lusia - San Pellegrino, Civetta. Holders of an Ikon Pass can ski for free for 7-days, with no blackout period. Holders of Ikon Base Plus Pass and Ikon Base Pass can ski for free for 5-days with no blackout periods. You can go directly to the chairlift or gondola with your valid Ikon Pass as there is no need to stop at a local ticket window. The Ikon Pass is valid in the Dolomites from 15 November to 15 April in a given season.

Snow & Weather

Kronplatz ski resort's geographical location gives it the best of both worlds in terms of snow & weather. Weather systems sympathetic to both Austria and the Dolomites will deliver snow to Kronplatz as well. If mother nature doesn't deliver, Kronplatz has the world's best snow-making system ensuring top to bottom skiing for the entire season.

Where is Kronplatz Italy?

Kronplatz ski resort is in the northern Dolomites about 110km south of Innsbruck Austria, near the historic city of Brunico - Brunick.

Gateway airports for intercontinental travellers are Munich (MUC), Milan Malpensa (MXP) & Venice (VCE), with Innsbruck (INN) providing superb options from European & UK flight origins.

Three train stations (Brunico - Brunick, Percha - Perca & Olang - Antholz) are close to the ski resort, with one station (Perca) having an integrated gondola up to the summit a few steps across the platform from the train! Such world-class access makes the train the recommended mode of travel to the area! Olang station is best is staying near Valdaora, Brunico is best for Riscone or San Vigilio. Trains from Innsbruck or Verona/Bolzano require a change at Fortezza before heading to Brunico, Perca & Olang. The trains continue to Versciaco - Vierschach for 3-Peaks ski resort & then Sillian in Austria, before ending at Lienz.

Search & book here for all train tickets to Brunick & Perca.

From Brunico or Olang train station, a private transfer is the best way to get directly to your accommodation in the many villages surrounding the resort. Search & book here for a private transfer.

For day-trippers, buses leave the train station at Brunico & can be used to travel to the base areas at Riscone & Piccolino. From Percha station, one steps out of the train, buys a lift pass & steps directly onto a gondola without even breaking stride! The gondola whisks one all the way to the top of the mountain- brilliant!

For more information about the best ways to get around, see our Travel in the Dolomites page.

Kronplatz Accommodation

Visitors to the Kronplatz ski resort have a wide choice of options when staying overnight. The wonderful city of Brunico-Brunick has some excellent hotels, including the Hotel Krone, in the atmospheric 'old town' below the castle. The ski resort is a short drive, train, or bus ride away. Brunico hotels near the railway station like the exceptional Hotel Langgenhof, allow skiers to take the train to Perca and Kronplatz' Ried gondola which leaves directly from the train platform.

For ski-in ski-out convenience, the main Kronplatz ski resort base is the village of Riscone (Reischach), 4km from Brunico. The Hotel Heinz offers a wonderful location next to the slopes & lifts. Another option is the village of Perca (Percha), just above the train station of the same name. Try & get a room at the absolutely fabulous Alpin Hotel Sonnblick. The gondola access from the Perca railway station is unprecedented.

Search & book all Kronplatz ski accommodation.

Another wonderful lodging option on the eastern side of the ski resort is in & above the village of Valdaora. Accessible via the Olong-Antholz train station, some of the region's best hotels are in ski-in ski-out positions on the mountainside above the village. As a bonus, the easterly aspect allows all accommodations to receive copious amounts of morning sunshine. The outstanding Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus & its 'Instagram-worthy' outdoor pool jutting out into thin air, offer a stunning location & facilities, belying its 4-stars. Another 4-star hotel nearby is Berghotel Zirm which is consistently rated as better than most 5-star hotels! Also in the area & close to the slopes, are numerous fantastic guesthouses, lodges & farm stays like the Bigraberhof.

Search & book all Valdaora ski accommodation.

The village of San Vigilio di Marebbe gives access to both the main Kronplatz slopes on Plan de Corones to the north, plus several fabulous ski lifts & advanced terrain west, toward the quiet hamlet of Piccolino (Pikolein). Numerous superb hotel & apartment options are available all along the slopes between the Furkelpass (Passo Furcia) & down into the village. In San Vigilio try the magnificent Hotel Mareo Dolomites, or apartments at the Christophorus Mountain Residence. Slopeside, high on the mountain near the summit (& accessed via the gondola from Riscone), the rooms at Rifugio Graziani Hütte are highly sought after for good reason! Between there & San Vigilio, the modern Spaces Hotel sets a new standard in ski-in ski-out accommodation excellence for the area.

Search & book all San Vigilio ski accommodation.

Due its size, Kronplatz extends south and west toward Alta Badia, which provides an alternative location deeper in the Dolomites, allowing for easy day-trips to Kronplatz via Pikolein.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski equipment rentals are available from our local partners in the Riscone & San Vigilio villages. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Kronplatz Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Ski & snowboard lessons & mountain guiding services are available from our local partners throughout Kronplatz & the Dolomites. Search & book via our Kronplatz Ski & Snowboard Lessons & Guiding page.

Review

The Powderhounds last reviewed Kronplatz iseveral seasons ago & were blown away/dumbfounded/amazed by its lift system, snow making & ski trails. We are due to return soon to check all the new gondolas! Click on the review link in the left column (or top of page on a mobile) to read its inciteful & witty prose!

See how Kronplatz compares to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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