Sommerschießen Schnals

The Senales Sommerschießen

The Sommerschießen Schnals is one of the most deeply rooted sports shooting events in the Val Senales (Schnalstal), located in the municipality of Senales/Schnals, in the province of Bolzano/Bozen (Trentino-Alto Adige). For over seventy years, the shooting community has gathered every summer at the Unser Frau / Madonna di Senales range for weeks of small-bore rifle (Kleinkaliber) competitions. The 2026 edition marks the 72nd, following the 71st edition in 2025—a testament to a rare continuity that has spanned entire generations of enthusiasts.

A Living Tyrolean Tradition

Sports shooting is an integral part of the cultural identity of South Tyrol and the entire Tyrolean region. In Senales, this tradition is upheld by the Amateursportschützen Schnals association, affiliated with the Südtiroler Sportschützenverband (SSSV) in the Vinschgau/Val Venosta district. The Unser Frau range is considered the highest in South Tyrol, and its summer competition is described by the organizers themselves as the highlight of the association's year.

Sport, Celebration, and Cross-Border Friendship

The Sommerschießen is more than just a competition; it is a true community event. The opening ceremony typically sees the participation of local authorities, SSSV representatives, delegations from Tyrol, Bavaria, and the Carabinieri, accompanied by local brass bands and the traditional salute of the Schnalser Böllerbuben. Over the years, the event has particularly strengthened bonds of friendship between Bavarian and South Tyrolean marksmen, creating an environment of exchange that goes far beyond the competition results.

How the Competition Works

The shooting days are spread over several weeks between July and August, with sessions concentrated on weekends and selected weekdays. The range remains open during set hours (morning and late afternoon/evening), allowing shooters and enthusiasts to participate on multiple days. The small-bore rifle is the primary discipline, maintaining the historic presence of sports shooting in the valley's alpine culture.

Val Senales, a High-Altitude Setting

The competition takes place in the Val Senales, an alpine valley world-famous for the discovery of the Similaun (Ötzi) mummy and its breathtaking high-mountain landscapes. Participating in or attending the Sommerschießen means experiencing an authentic local tradition, far from the major tourist circuits, in a corner of South Tyrol where German-speaking culture and Tyrolean customs remain part of everyday life.