Plan de Corones is a beautiful mountain in Val Pusteria, which is part of the Dolomiti Superski area. Its typical “panettone” shape makes it perfect for skiing in winter and for many other sports in summer. In a region such as the Dolomites, studded with peaks and rock faces, the Plan de Corones is truly a paradise for those who want to practice sports on all its sides, so that they can go up and down continuously, while also discovering the different realities of the destination.
At the foot of the slope facing Bruneck, there is Reischach, the beautiful village where the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz is located, a hotel that promises to become the favorite choice of those who cannot give up their holidays in this area. Why do so many people choose Reischach and the Plan de Corones for their holidays? Below we will analyze the many factors that attract such a large number of tourists to the area, looking at the range of activities per season.
In winter, skiing undoubtedly dominates. At Plan de Corones, 476 hectares of land are used to prepare the slopes. Considering the average width of a 40-meter slope, there is a total of 119,000 meters of slopes with 119 kilometers of slopes of all levels of difficulty, so that older and more experienced skiers, as well as children, can enjoy themselves. What’s more, the mountain is not isolated from the rest of the main areas in the region, on the contrary… a shuttle service connects the ski areas of Plan de Corones and Alta Badia in 20 minutes. The service can be used by all holders of a valid Dolomiti Superski ski pass. The Alta Badia ski area is directly connected to the slopes of the Sellaronda circuit. So you can live and experience the fascination of skiing all over the Dolomites!
But there is also the possibility of the train, which makes more than 200 km of slopes accessible! The Plan de Corones and Tre Cime Dolomiti ski areas have also been brought closer together by a new train connection: in just over half an hour, the Ski-Pustertal-Express train takes you from the valley station of the Ried lift in Plan de Corones to the new Versciaco train station, which is directly connected to the Monte Elmo lifts. A Dolomiti Superski ski pass is required to use the lifts in both areas with the same ticket.
In addition to well-marked hiking trails in winter, which allow you to exercise and admire the beautiful Olang Dolomites, many people choose to enjoy sledding! In fact, using one of the lifts you can easily climb to the top and then descend along a slope that presents no dangers or difficulties, so it is perfectly suited to families.
One of the experiences that can leave indelible memories is tandem paragliding: paragliders love the excellent flying conditions and the fantastic panorama, on one side the Dolomites and on the other the main Alpine chain. The beauty of this sport is that you don’t necessarily have to know how to do it yourself. Pilots are happy to take the lead during tandem flights and do almost everything themselves. All you have to do is run with them for a few meters during take-off and landing and hover in the air above the Puster Valley.
One of the best experiences in all seasons is a helicopter flight over the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lake Braies, and the Dolomites in general: a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Also in all seasons, there are incredibly interesting attractions to visit: in addition to Bruneck itself or the nearby Valley of Antholz, at the top of the mountain, there are the two main museums in the area: the Messner Mountain Museum Corones and the LUMEN. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones and LUMEN were designed by architect Zaha Hadid, while the latter houses Norbert Niederkofler’s Alpine bistro.
There is also plenty to do for families with children, including visits to alpine huts and refuges and playgrounds. But let’s see what to do in summer starting from Riscone, on the Plan de Corones.
In the summer, the hiking trails multiply and there is something for all tastes: what is certain is that once you reach the plateau at the top, where you can easily walk, the view is wonderful and repays the pleasant effort made to climb.
The Kronplatz is not only considered a meeting point for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts in winter, as numerous freeride opportunities make this mountain a meeting point for sportsmen and women in summer too, with around six tracks of varying difficulty.
As well as reiterating the uniqueness of a tandem paragliding flight even in summer, to close the article we would like to mention that the Flying Fox zipline is located in the Plan de Corones ski area. The starting point is in the center of the village of San Vigilio, where, after a short training session, you advance to the starting station. With a maximum speed of 80 km/h, you fly, accompanied by expert guides, over the treetops and then reach, full of good humor and adrenaline, the final station in San Vigilio. A highly entertaining activity.
