Plan de Corones (Kronplatz, Brunico)
Plan de Corones, better known by its German name Kronplatz, is 668 km from Geneva Airport, about 6 h 55 by road, above the town of Brunico in the Val Pusteria of South Tyrol, Italy. It is a rounded mountain with lifts climbing from every side to a broad summit plateau, and AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you from the Geneva arrivals hall to your hotel in Brunico or one of the base villages in a single trip.
- Distance from GVA: 668 km by road
- Drive time: around 6 h 55
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into Italy
- Ski area: Kronplatz, part of the Dolomiti Superski network
- Best for: intermediates, families and skiers who like modern lifts and short queues
Getting from Geneva Airport to Kronplatz
The journey heads into northern Italy and joins the Brenner motorway (A22) through Trento and Bolzano. Near Bressanone you leave the motorway and turn east into the Val Pusteria, a broad valley that leads to Brunico, the main town at the foot of the mountain. The road is wide and well maintained, so the last part is easier than in many Dolomite valleys.
Where exactly you are going matters: the mountain is served from Brunico and Riscone (Reischach) on the north side, from Valdaora (Olang) to the east and from San Vigilio di Marebbe to the south. Give your exact address when booking. On a drive of nearly seven hours, a lunch stop is part of the plan, and the final kilometres through the Val Pusteria are a calm finish to the day.
The ski area: one mountain, many sides
Kronplatz is unusual among Dolomite resorts: rather than a valley of linked villages, it is a single mountain whose summit plateau is the hub for gondolas and runs in every direction. That makes it easy to navigate and very efficient, with modern lifts and a wide choice of pistes from the top. Most runs are intermediate, long and well groomed, with views across to the Dolomites and the main Alpine ridge.
Strong skiers will appreciate several steep black runs on the north side, including the Erta, used for World Cup women's giant slalom racing, and the long descents down to Riscone. Beginners have gentler slopes at the base areas and around San Vigilio. The Dolomiti Superski pass also covers other Dolomite valleys, such as Alta Badia, if you want a change of scenery for a day.
The summit museums and Brunico town
The summit of Kronplatz is home to some striking architecture. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones, designed by Zaha Hadid and set into the mountain, is devoted to the history of mountaineering, and the Lumen museum next to it is dedicated to mountain photography. A large peace bell, the Concordia 2000, rings out over the plateau at midday. Both museums can be visited by skiers and non-skiers alike.
Brunico (Bruneck) is a historic market town with a pretty old town, a castle on the hill above and a good selection of shops, cafés and restaurants. It offers far more variety in the evening than most ski villages. The base villages, such as Valdaora and San Vigilio, are quieter and suit those who prefer to stay close to the lifts. The Val Pusteria also has extensive cross-country trails along the valley floor.
Best time to go and practical tips
The season normally runs from late November or early December to early April, supported by extensive snowmaking. January tends to be cold, clear and quieter, February busy with school holidays, and March brings long sunny days. The mountain's rounded shape means it gets plenty of sun, so good sunglasses and sun cream are essential.
- Weekend traffic: the A22 and the Val Pusteria can be busy on Saturdays
- Winter roads: vehicles run on winter tyres; chains may be needed in heavy snow
- Ski equipment: declare skis and boards when booking
- Return: allow around seven and a half hours before your flight
Because the mountain is served from several villages, ski buses link the bases; check how your accommodation connects to the lifts before you book, especially if you are staying in Brunico itself.
Brunico also has a railway station on the Val Pusteria line, but with skis and a family, door-to-door travel remains far simpler than combining international trains with local buses at the end of a long day.
Booking your transfer to Kronplatz
Book online with AirportsTransfers.ch: you see the fixed price for the vehicle before paying, then pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign and tracks your flight, so a late landing is no problem, with waiting time included.
Families and ski groups usually choose the Mercedes V-Class van, which takes up to seven passengers with ten bags and skis; larger groups can use the Sprinter minibus, and couples the E-Class or S-Class. Child seats are fitted on request, and ski equipment is planned for when declared at booking. For questions or a group quote, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
