Ski resorts Plan de Corones

The 'panettone' of Crown Plan it is the perfect location of a large 'modular' ski carousel, where everyone will find something for their teeth (or rather, snow for their edges). The upper part, in an open field outside the woods, is practically entirely skiable and groomed, and has gentle slopes, with amusing dips and jumps.
For example, you can 'warm up your muscles' on the Belvedere and Sole slopes, names that say it all.
The conformation of the mountain then allowed the creation of 5 routes down to the valley, between 5 and 7 km in length, and between 1000 and 1300 m in altitude – figures that are difficult to find in the Eastern Alps.
Even the concentration of black runs has no equal in all the Dolomites: the area boasts the record both in terms of total length of black run (26 km, equal to 25% of the district) and gradient (peaks over 60%).
The most demanding slope, facing north, and therefore often in the shade or with grazing sun, is the one overlooking Brunico. Advisable in the morning to find shiny snow.
Here, where the snow is always powdery or compact, the black Sylvester awaits us, 5km winding through the woods for a vertical drop of about 1300m, or its twin Herrnegg, even steeper.
The sensation is fantastic: it seems to fly over Brunico and the valley, which here from above looks like a view taken from Google Earth…. In reality, these are slopes that can cause problems more due to their length and continuity, which puts a strain on the legs, than due to the steepness peaks, which in any case reach 60% on the Herrnegg.
Those who want to limit themselves to repeating the higher, more affordable initial sections do not have to go down to the valley, but can use the second section of the Kronplatz II or Gipfelbahn cable cars.

The Valdaora side, facing north-east, is moderately demanding (and sunnier in the morning): they are mainly blue and red runs, very pleasant and varied, suitable for 'pulling' fast curves, such as for example the "Marchner", while the "Olang" is the main slope that reaches the valley, a red one that requires a little more calm, being also 6,5 km long.

The slope towards the Furcia pass and San Vigilio is instead more gentle (but with demanding variants), and with varied sunshine: you can opt for the very wide Furcia slope n. 9 or for the more decisive Furcia 12.
Near the Furcia pass, the detour on the Pre de Peres slope, which has powdery snow on any day of the season and at any time, should not be missed.
Then, up to the village of San Vigilio, it is a good 6 km, on a route that gradually becomes gentler until it flows into the Col Toron slope and the 'historic' Miara slope, a sort of immense school camp 2 km long, with opposite a superb view towards the village of San Vigilio and the Dolomite pyramid of Sasso Putia.
But in San Vigilio, there is a surprise: we are at the foot of the Plan but the district does not end! You fly over the village with a cable car that takes you to yet another slope, that of Piz de Plaies: from here, in turn, another flagship descends, the Erta slope (in Ladin it means steep), home to of international competitions (FIS European Cup): let's not forget that this is Manfred Moelgg's homeland!
On the other hand, going down from Piz de Plaies towards Val Badia, one discovers yet another jewel: the Piculin slope – decidedly 'black' – which leads to Piccolino: it means being able to reach Pedraces, La Villa… and the entire Sella Ronda circuit (after a stretch by ski bus between Piccolino and Sompunt)!
In practice, from Brunico you could get on skis to the Marmolada in just one day (but to get back in time you'll have to be really fast!).