With slopes up to over 3,000 meters and “snow certainty” for almost the entire season, Sölden has been one of the most sought-after ski resorts in Austria for years. The ski season starts in early autumn and lasts until early May. In addition to its excellent mountain huts, the ski resort near Tyrol has a number of ‘gemütlich’ piste restaurants and après-ski bars.
But the many partygoers who flood the municipality every year cause a lot of nuisance. “More and more guests started smoking outside the bars and then continued their party with alcohol on the sidewalk,” Mayor Maximilian Riml said in the Austrian newspaper Krone.
In addition, more and more ski tourists buy their drinks in shops and then consume them outside on the street. “Unacceptable noise pollution for residents, broken beer glasses on the sidewalk and other litter are the result,” said the mayor.
2,000 euros fine
That is why the board of Sölden decides to intervene with an alcohol ban. In concrete terms, it is not permitted to drink alcohol or to carry open bottles, cans or cups containing alcohol. An important nuance is that the rule only concerns alcohol consumption in public spaces: drinking remains permitted in bars, restaurants, terraces and during officially permitted events.
The ban applies from December 1, 2025 to April 19, 2026. Those who do not comply with the rules risk fines of up to 2,000 euros.
Mayrhofen, Ischgl and Fiss previously introduced such an alcohol ban.
According to Crown newspaper The measure is certainly being positively received by local catering operators. “We hope that this will improve the quality of the stay and life of both our guests and residents,” the mayor said.
Bron: Kronen Zeitung, Snowplaza
