Kronplatz towers over the middle of the Puster Valley, on the border between the Dolomites and the High Tauern.
This free-standing mountain, 2275 m high, is a well-known ski resort that provides a good living for the 13 surrounding towns and villages. The name is a familiar one to the mass of skiers from Europe.
Modern and fast ski lifts lead to the top from four directions: Val d`Aora, Riscone, St. Vigilio and Perca, towards which the surrounding towns gravitate.
At the station right next to Perca you can also take a ski train that provides the fastest way to reach Kronplatz from distant places like Lienz or Brixen. Kronplatz can be said to have the most modern ski lifts in this part of the Alps, and the best groomed slopes that are almost 100% covered by snow cannons, so snow is never a problem. This was most evident in the last three winters, as it didn’t snow in the first month of the season and the resort was still in full operation.
The center of the Puster Valley is Brunico/Bruneck (838m). The town is developing rapidly and has grown in the last 20 years from a sleepy Southern Tyrol town into the economic center of the region. The downtown pedestrian zone with its boutiques, cafés and restaurants, is a must-stop for the leisurely strolls of tourists from the entire region. Nowadays, Brunico does not live on tourism alone. The development of industrial plants on the outskirts has taken away its atmosphere of an Alpine tourist town, but on the other hand, one can see the region’s wealth reflected in it.
Riscone is closest to the bottom station of the ski lift and offers the largest number of hotels and apartments. It has no discernible center, but rather catering facilities scattered on the plateau between Bruneck and Kronplatz, so that going anywhere requires a car. The ski bus only takes the main roads, but the majority of hotels have their shuttles transporting guests to the ski lifts and back.
St.Vigilio/St.Vigil is located on the southern side. This romantic little town with a church on the main square has, unlike Brunico, a true Alpine vibe. The whole town is comprised of hotels of different categories and apartments, connected with the bottom station of the ski lift by a ski bus.
Olang/Val`Aora lies east from Kronplatz, only 2 km away from the bottom station of the gondola that goes all the way to the top. The town is lovely, offering a real Alpine feel. The majority of houses are hotels and apartments.
The slopes are mostly moderate and intermediate, making Kronplatz an ideal family ski resort.
All of the ski lifts go to the top, where you can find several restaurants. There are also many good restaurants along the slopes, offering Italian cuisine. The ski pass can be bought for Kronplatz alone or for Superski Dolomiti, which is then valid for all of the ski resorts in the Dolomites.
