Kicking Horse Mountain Resort vs Plan de Corones / Kronplatz — Which Is Better?

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers better snowfall than Plan de Corones / Kronplatz. That said, Plan de Corones / Kronplatz is no slouch, and beginners in particular may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort delivers more mountain for your trip.

Side-by-Side Stats

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.

Kicking Horse Mountain ResortPlan de Corones / Kronplatz
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
1,260m (4,134ft)1,300m (4,265ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
2,450m (8,038ft)2,275m (7,464ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
1,190m (3,904ft)950m (3,117ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
762cm (300in)600cm (236in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
129119
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
632
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
1,133ha (2,800ac)119ha (294ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
20%35%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
20%55%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
60%10%

Category Breakdown

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.

Vertical DropSimilar

Both resorts have comparable vertical drop — you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.

Annual SnowfallKicking Horse Mountain Resort wins

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort gets a bit more snow on average, giving it a slight edge for powder days.

Beginner TerrainPlan de Corones / Kronplatz wins

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz dedicates significantly more of the mountain to beginner runs — a much friendlier option for new skiers and snowboarders.

Mountain SizeSimilar

Both resorts are similar in size — you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.

Snow PreservationKicking Horse Mountain Resort wins

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.

Who Should Choose Which?

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz
Beginners and families with young children

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz has more dedicated beginner terrain, making it a better fit for first-timers or parents skiing with young kids.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Powder chasers and late-season skiers

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners — Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or Plan de Corones / Kronplatz?

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz is the better pick for beginners. It dedicates more of its mountain to green runs and easy terrain, which means less time hunting for appropriate slopes and more time building confidence.

Which resort gets more snow — Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or Plan de Corones / Kronplatz?

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.

Which mountain is bigger — Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or Plan de Corones / Kronplatz?

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the larger mountain by trail count (Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: 129 trails, Plan de Corones / Kronplatz: 119 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has a higher percentage of expert terrain. If you're an advanced skier who will spend most of your day on black and double-black runs, that extra challenge is worth considering when choosing between these two.

Which resort is better for families?

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz is generally the better family resort based on its terrain mix. More beginner-friendly slopes means children and less experienced parents have plenty of room to ski without feeling pushed beyond their comfort zone. That said, both resorts have established ski schools — check current program reviews before booking.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats