Will Alcohol Be Served at Akureyri’s Ski Resort?

From Hlíðarfjall ski area, Akureyri.

From Hlíðarfjall ski area, Akureyri. mbl.is/Skapti Hallgrímsson

Vala Hafstað

Being able to have a drink would enhance the experience of those who visit Akureyri’s Hlíðarfjall ski area, restaurateur Sölvi Antonsson tells Morgunblaðið. He operates two restaurants for Ghost Mountains ehf. at the popular ski resort in North Iceland and would like to be able to serve alcoholic beverages there.

He recently applied for a license to that effect — a request that was well received by the Akureyri town council. The application is currently open for comments, including ones from the police, firefighters, and healthcare officials.

If approved, alcohol would be served from noon till 8:30 pm in winter, and until 10 pm in summer.

“We want to create a good atmosphere in Hlíðarfjall mountain, similar to what is common at ski resorts in Europe, frequently visited by Icelanders,” states Sölvi.

When the application was discussed by the town council, Sóley Björk Stefánsdóttir voiced her opposition. She believes the sale of alcohol at Hlíðarfjall ski area would contradict the prevention policy of the town of Akureyri. She finds the potential sale inappropriate where young people, children and families enjoy the outdoors together. She notes that skiers under the influence of alcohol could pose a risk to others.

Town council representative Andri Teitsson supports the issue, noting that Hlíðarfjall is a popular tourist attraction, which needs to strengthen its position as such. He would rather have guests purchase alcohol at the resort’s restaurants than see them bring their own beer and wine to consume in the slopes and in the parking lot.

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