The Dolomiti Superski is one of the biggest ski areas in the world, but with great size, comes great difficulty in finding specific information. To help you get the great Italian ski holiday you want and deserve, here’s the first part in a new series designed to help you deconstruct the Dolomites.

Part Two: Kronplatz

The Skiing

Kronplatz has been called Europe’s best-kept ski secret and whether you agree or not, it’s certainly a contender. The Kronplatz ski area offers world-class skiing for all abilities, with great links to the Sella Ronda circuit and the wider Dolomiti Superski. Kronplatz is comprised of small villages and towns that surround the ski area’s ‘panetonne’ – a mountain shaped just like the everyone’s favourite Italian cake. The area is extremely well kept and has no fewer than 20 gondolas – that’s gondolas, not chairlifts – to whisk you up the mountain.

On the other side of the ‘panetonne’ to San Vigilio, are two long black runs going all the way from the top to the very bottom and are used by the world cup team to train. The rest of the sides are made up of blue and red runs. Beginners are best to use the Miara mountain side on the other side of the town – however, this is the sunny side of San Vigilio and runs can become more difficult than marked.

The Village

San Viglio is a small, traditional Ladin village with unparalleled views of the Dolomites. We won’t try and sell it to you as an après hotspot – it’s not. Someone in the office went there last week though and had – quote unquote – the best steak of their life, and was drinking wine in a mountain restaurant for just €1.50 a glass. So – pretty village in the heart of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on earth, with extensive skiing on your doorstep and access to one of the world’s largest lift-linked ski areas and incredible value for money – check.

Eating Out

Kronplatz has a very good selection of around 30 restaurants in the area. Local fare is common, and regional specialities like schlutzkrapfen (ravioli), knödel (dumplings), and kniekiechl (jam fritters) are absolute must-eats. Check out our website for more detailed recommendations.

Après

The village of San Vigilio is unashamedly mellow when it comes to more raucous après-ski, with just one après bar – The Bus Stop – to its name. You’ll find plenty of fantastic restaurants though (see above) and in such beautiful surroundings its difficult not to be content. That being said of course, you can get the ski bus to nearby Riscone for a livelier night out – just remember you’ll need to grab a cab back afterwards.

Who’s it for?

Stunning surroundings – we’re talking the full-blown, truly awe-inspiring beauty of the Dolomites on your doorstep – as well as the quiet après scene and an impressively varied ski area, Kronplatz is ideal for families, mixed-ability groups or anybody after a more laid-back holiday. Sounds pretty spectacular to us.

Well then – that just about concludes this installment of Sunshine Skiing in the South Tyrol. For everything else ski that you could possibly ever want or need, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram and sign up to our mailing list.