Kronplatz (Plan de Corones in Italian) is one of the most modern and popular ski areas in the Alps: 119 km of well-groomed slopes, state-of-the-art lifts, a top altitude of 2,275 m and, in the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, one of the finest viewpoints in Europe.
The ideal base is the town of Brunico (Bruneck), with high-quality hotels and genuine medieval charm.
Brunico: a town base for Kronplatz
Brunico (Bruneck) is the main town of the upper Puster Valley. It is a well-preserved medieval town with a historic castle, shops, restaurants and a real town life that you rarely find in mountain ski resorts. The gondola to Kronplatz leaves from central Brunico, which makes the town a perfect base for skiing.
Why stay in Brunico:
- A wide choice of hotels for every budget
- Real town life, with shops and restaurants
- A direct gondola link to the ski area
- A railway station (Fortezza-San Candido line) with good connections
- Prices on average lower than in Riscone
- Skiing and town life in one trip
| Hotel category in Brunico | High season | Mid season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-star town hotel | €130-250 | €90-170 | Excellent quality |
| 3-star | €80-150 | €65-115 | Good value |
| B&B / Garni | €65-120 | €50-90 | Very common |
| Apartment | €90-170 | €65-120 | Great for families |
Riscone (Reischach): ski-in/ski-out at the foot of Kronplatz
Riscone (Reischach in German) is the part of Brunico closest to the Kronplatz lifts, about 3 km from the town centre. This is where you will find the most modern and expensive properties, many of them genuinely ski-in/ski-out: you step out of the hotel with your skis on and go straight to the gondola or the slopes.
Riscone is the top choice for:
- Anyone who wants to maximise time on the snow
- Skiers who do not want to use shuttles or a car
- Families with young children (no car journeys makes all the difference)
- Travellers looking for a top-class spa and wellness
| Accommodation in Riscone | High season | Mid season | Ski-in/ski-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-star spa hotel | €350-600 | €200-380 | Yes |
| 4-star superior hotel | €200-380 | €130-240 | Yes/partly |
| 4-star hotel | €150-280 | €100-190 | Near the lifts |
| Modern aparthotel | €130-240 | €90-160 | 5 min from the lifts |
San Vigilio di Marebbe: Ladin atmosphere
San Vigilio di Marebbe (St. Vigil in Enneberg) is a small Ladin village about 20 km from Brunico, reachable by car or bus. It has no direct access to the Kronplatz lifts, but it has its own ski area (Piz de Plaies), with quiet slopes and excellent off-piste freeride terrain.
If you want to ski Kronplatz and also explore the Ladin area of Alta Badia, San Vigilio is a strategic and picturesque base.
| Accommodation in San Vigilio | High season | Mid season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-star hotel | €150-280 | €100-190 | Top-quality Ladin hospitality |
| 3-star garni | €90-170 | €65-120 | Very welcoming |
| Private chalet | €120-220 | €85-150 | A unique setting |
To compare all the accommodation in the area:
See hotel availability and prices around Kronplatz (affiliate link: the price you pay does not change).
The Kronplatz ski area: 119 km of slopes
Kronplatz is known for the quality of its slopes rather than the quantity: 119 km with impeccable grooming, state-of-the-art lifts and efficient logistics that keep queues to a minimum. The ski area is fully part of Dolomiti Superski.
Key features:
- Altitude: 793 m (Brunico) to 2,275 m (Kronplatz summit)
- Slopes: 119 km in total (32 runs)
- Lifts: 32, all modern and high-capacity
- Aspect: north-east, ideal for keeping the snow in good condition
- Strengths: excellent grooming, minimal queues, good-quality mountain restaurants
Slopes by difficulty
| Difficulty | Number of runs | Km | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 7 | 22 km | Includes the Erta (a famous run) |
| Red | 17 | 64 km | Most of the ski area |
| Blue/green | 8 | 33 km | Ideal for beginners and families |
The Messner Mountain Museum Corones
On the summit of Kronplatz (2,275 m), Reinhold Messner built one of his six Mountain Museums devoted to the history of mountaineering. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones, designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, is set right into the rock of the summit, with exhibition rooms that open onto the mountain’s north face.
Admission costs about €15 for adults and €5 for children. A visit takes one to two hours and offers a unique perspective on the history of mountaineering and mountain exploration. Combined with a day on the Kronplatz slopes, it makes for an unforgettable experience.
Getting to Brunico
Brunico has a station on the Fortezza-San Candido railway (the Puster Valley line), 1 hour from Bolzano and also served from Lienz in Austria. From Milan the train journey takes about 4 hours, changing at Fortezza. The A22 Brenner motorway passes 30 km away (exit Bressanone), and the SS49 Puster Valley road reaches Brunico in about 30 minutes.
FAQ
Is the Messner Mountain Museum Corones worth visiting?
Absolutely, especially if you love mountains and mountaineering. The museum is a work of architecture as well as an excellent cultural attraction: the rooms carved into the rock, with windows onto the mountain’s north face, make for a unique experience. Reinhold Messner, the first climber to summit all fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, curated the content himself. It is a good choice on days of fresh snowfall or bad weather, when you would rather be indoors than on the slopes.
When does the season start at Kronplatz?
Kronplatz usually opens in early December (sometimes in late November in years with plenty of natural or artificial snow) and closes between Easter and early April. Snowmaking covers all the main slopes, so the area can open even when natural snowfall is poor. The busiest period is January to February; March is excellent for snow quality and quieter slopes.
Is Kronplatz good for snowboarding?
Yes, very. Kronplatz has an excellent reputation among snowboarders: impeccably groomed slopes, a fun park with regularly updated features and some managed off-piste areas in the weeks after fresh snowfall. The fun park is in the middle part of the ski area and is open to all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. During competition weeks (such as a possible World Cup event), access to some areas may be restricted.
How do I get to Brunico from Austria?
Brunico is well connected with Austria through the Puster Valley. From Lienz (Austria) you take the SS49 through the Isel valley and then the Drava valley to San Candido, then continue to Brunico (about 60 km in total, 1 hour). By train, the Puster Valley line links Lienz directly with Brunico. This connection makes Kronplatz easy to reach from eastern Austria and from Munich (3-4 hours).
Related resort
Related articles
Plan your stay
Choose where to stay in the mountains
Accommodation guides near the lifts, with areas and practical selection criteria.