Touch of Royal luxury after day on fantastic ski slopes

HIGH in the mountains between Italy and Austria the boundaries blur and the two countries become one.

The divide between the two countries is probably a black run, high on a snowy Dolomite ridge.

Here the cuisines blend seamlessly and the language is a smooth mix of Italian and German.

This delicious melting pot of European cultures is at its best in Kronplatz, a ski area in the Dolomites, an hour-and-a-half transfer from Innsbruck.

The call of the mountains isn’t confined to winter these days but I haven’t found a better way to explore them than on skis.

Thankfully Kronplatz – or, to give it its Italian name, Plan de Corones – is skiing heaven. The ski area is dominated by a 2,275ft almost circular mountain rising out of the ridge like a huge iced bun.

Its 105 km of runs offer something for every type of skier with black runs leading to the village below or gentle runs for practising wide carving turns.

The resort is run with a mixture of Austrian efficiency and Italian flair and most hotels are of a high standard.

Last year travel firm Neilson was the only UK operator to offer the resort. It might be one of Italy’s best-kept secrets but it deserves to be up there with the best resorts in France and Austria.

Kronplatz is excellent for families, thanks to fantastic (and affordable) childcare options.

A children’s centre has been built at the top of the slopes, making it easy for parents to nip back, and at the bottom of the slopes the ski school offers friendly tuition at a good price.

We stayed at the Hotel Royal, a spacious and beautifully furnished hotel 1.5km from the slopes.

The hotel offers a free minibus service during the day and boots and skis are stored at the ski complex next to the lifts.

The Hotel Royal has 55 sumptuous rooms with queen-sized beds, luxury bedding and a living room area with sofa and television showing conditions at the top ski station. Heated bathroom floors await your tired feet and if it’s luxury you’re after this hotel in Riscone at the bottom of the slopes has it all.

Most rooms are bigger than your average London flat and, with stunning panoramic views of shark’s teeth mountains, it’s hard not to fall in love with this place.

The newly-refurbished hotel has a Austrian/Italian feel with cavernous antique wardrobes in the stairwells, old oil paintings and rich silk drapes. It certainly has plenty of character and its new wellness centre is pure relaxation after a day on the slopes. Whether you’re snoozing in the jacuzzi or kicking back in the sauna, you’ll certainly check out refreshed and revitalised.

It would be quite easy to check out a few pounds heavier, though, because food is stunning.

On a half-board basis you won’t go hungry because portions are huge and the cuisine is good old mountain food – think carbohydrates and lots of them!

It’s always tempting to return to the same resort or region, especially if you’ve mastered the slopes and enjoyed the apres ski, but for a truly rounded holiday experience on and off the slopes - Kronplatz can’t be bettered.

Families really do come first and if you visit in summer there’s an outdoor pool at the Hotel Royal, Shetland ponies stabled across the road, a wooden play area and tennis courts.

For me, snow will always be the attraction and, with connections to the circular Sella Ronda in the heart of the Ladini Dolomites, this is a huge, varied and well-serviced skiing area.

With a Dolomiti Superski pass it’s possible to explore the world’s largest ski network which features 460 lifts and 1,180km of pistes. Kronplatz has the longest season in the Dolomites.

Back home, you can use your ski pass to check out your performance and turn your friends green with envy.

Log on to the internet to see how many kilometres you skied, the changes in altitude and how many lifts you used... then stay online to book a return trip!