Kronplatz (Plan de Corones)

Kronplatz, known in Italian as Plan de Corones, is a distinctive dome-shaped mountain rising to 2,275 m above the town of Bruneck in South Tyrol. Unusually, the summit is broad and rounded, ringed by gondolas from every side, which makes it one of the most efficiently lift-served single mountains in the Alps.

It is celebrated above all for the quality of its grooming. Around 120 km of immaculate, wide pistes fan out from the top in every direction, giving fast, confidence-building cruising that has made Kronplatz a favourite of intermediates and carving enthusiasts. A few steep signature runs, including the Sylvester and Piculin/Herrnegg descents, add challenge, and the mountain is part of the Dolomiti Superski network.

The panoramic summit is a destination in itself. It hosts the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, a striking Zaha Hadid-designed structure partly buried in the peak, and offers sweeping 360-degree views over the Dolomites and the Zillertal Alps — a genuine viewpoint as much as a ski hub.

Snow reliability is excellent, backed by one of the most comprehensive snowmaking systems in the Alps and a December to April season, ensuring the famous grooming holds up even in leaner winters.

Practical notes: Kronplatz is easily reached from Bruneck in the Puster Valley, itself on a rail line, and the ring of access gondolas means short lift rides from surrounding villages. For skiers who prize flawless piste conditions, big mileage, and panoramic scenery over extreme terrain, it is one of the standout mountains in the Dolomites.