Gnarly rock gardens, fast berms and so much flow you would like to buy it break- fast the following morning … The Kronplatz marries all that with the sickest trails, awe-inspiring views and breathtaking scenery, rendering it the ultimate testing ground for the Design & Innovation Award 2019.

How can you really evaluate a product without getting your hands on it and getting it dirty? Looking and talking simply won’t suffice; it’s a question of rolling up your sleeves, testing, tuning and testing again. This is how the Design & Innovation Award distinguishes itself from the hordes of other awards. More than just your average discussions, the DIA testing team spent 16 days in San Vigilio, Kronplatz in Italy’s South Tyrol region to push the industry’s latest products to their limits. This year’s testing saw snapped chains, broken frames, wheels, tubes, shifters and tires – all in the name of science, of course.

Beyond being a haven for winter sports, the Kronplatz is well suited for summer rid- ing holidays. With rock gardens, berms and trails with endless flow dropping in every conceivable direction from vast picturesque mountain plateaus the Kronplatz has a healthy menu to satisfy the appetite of any rider.

The Herrnsteig is probably the most hyped-up trail at Kronplatz and is the most brutal test for brake fade, handling at high speeds, and the stiffness and consistency of air-sprung suspension. Dropping 1,300 metres in its 8 km route, its newest built variants – dubbed ‘Hans’ and ‘Franz’ – present the ultimate testing conditions to push the limits of handling, suspension and the skills of the DI.A test crew.

Hot or not? We had countless mid-ride discussions to relay info on the bikes.

Thoughts on the day’s testing were collected each evening before everyone prepped for the next day’s ride.

Here are the komoot tracks of our two favorite trails, ready for your GPS and your next adventure.

Herrnsteig

Insanely long and packed with big, fast turns, this 8 km trail drops a full 1,300 metres of elevation and is crammed with alternative trails that you can drop into from the original line. Take a left or right when you spot them – we were stoked with ‘Hans’ and ‘Franz’ which had perfect natural lines and sharp steep sections where you’ll need some skills.

Furcia Freeride

Starting from the same spot at the top of the Kronplatz, you can’t miss the Furcia freeride route that heads off in the opposite direction. It has a ton of manmade berms and some swooping natural sections as you let off the brakes towards the south side of the valley. After a drop of around 500 metres of elevation, you can head back up with the cable car or ride the nicely packed gravel track.