Tragically, World Cup skier Jean Daniel Pession, 28, and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian, 26, have passed away following a fatal 2,300 ft fall from Mount Zerbion in Italy’s Aosta Valley region. The couple, who had set out early in the morning to reach the peak of the mountain, failed to return, prompting their family to alert the rescuers.
A rescue operation was immediately launched, with helicopters dispatched to search the area. Utilizing the couple’s mobile phone signal, the rescue team, which included alpine rescue, police, and firefighters, was able to locate them hours later.
It was discovered that Pession and Arlian, both experienced mountain climbers, were tied together, which is a common practice among climbers. The young couple’s untimely demise has left the skiing community in shock and Trauer. Pession, a member of the Italian national speed skiing team, was ranked 15th in the 2021 final World Cup ranking and finished 22nd in the speed skiing competition at the 2022 World Championships.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) has expressed its profound sadness over the tragic accident, terming it a ‘tragic mountain accident.’ Aosta Valley’s regional council president, Alberto Bertin, has also expressed his condolences, calling it a ‘moment of profound sadness’ and acknowledging the couple’s passion for the mountains.
Condolences have poured in from the skiing community and beyond, with many expressing their shock and grief on Pession’s Instagram handle. The untimely loss of these two young lives has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of their family, friends, and the entire skiing community.
