Popular European ski resorts have introduced tougher restrictions on smoking and alcohol consumption on ski slopes, reflecting a broader push to improve safety, reduce environmental damage and curb disruptive behaviour in mountain destinations.
In France, smoking has been banned across all ski slopes, ski lifts, lift queues, access roads to resorts and areas surrounding mountain lakes. The only exception applies to café and restaurant terraces, where smoking will still be permitted. Violators face fines starting at €375.
The move was backed by environmental groups, which argue that cigarette butts are the most common form of litter found at high altitudes. During a recent clean-up campaign organised by Mountain Riders, volunteers collected around 58,000 cigarette butts from ski slopes alone. Most of the waste comes from cigarette filters, which are made using plastic fibres and can persist in the environment for years.
The smoking ban also forms part of France’s national anti-smoking strategy, aimed at reducing exposure to tobacco, particularly among children. According to official figures, around 75,000 people die each year in France from smoking-related illnesses.
Meanwhile, Austria has taken a different approach. The famous Alpine resort of Sölden has banned the consumption of alcohol in public outdoor areas, including ski-adjacent zones and town streets. Local authorities said the measure was introduced after repeated complaints from residents about the behaviour of intoxicated tourists.
Officials noted that drunken skiers and visitors were disrupting daily life in the resort, with reports of people playing with empty beer bottles in the streets and creating safety hazards. Fines for breaking the alcohol ban can reach up to €2,000.
Resort operators say the new rules are intended to strike a balance between tourism and quality of life for residents, while also reinforcing safety on crowded slopes. With European ski destinations continuing to attract record numbers of visitors, similar measures could soon be adopted by other resorts across the Alps.
