5-6-2024 (ROME) The world of winter sports is mourning the devastating loss of World Cup skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend, Elisa Arlian, after a tragic accident on Mount Zerbion in Italy’s Aosta Valley. The couple, aged 28 and 27 respectively, fell a staggering 2,300 feet off the mountain during a hike on June 1, leading to their untimely and heartbreaking deaths.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed the harrowing incident, highlighting the dangers even experienced skiers and outdoor enthusiasts face. Mount Zerbion, a well-known peak in the Aosta Valley popular among skiers, became the site of this unfortunate accident when Pession and Arlian did not return from their hike as expected.
Alarmed by their prolonged absence, the families of Pession and Arlian contacted authorities, prompting a search operation involving three helicopters. Hours later, the couple’s bodies were discovered together, buried in the snow, having fallen over 2,000 feet in a tragic turn of events that has left the skiing community in shock and mourning.
Jean Daniel Pession was an emerging talent in the world of skiing, with notable achievements including a 15th place finish in the 2021 World Cup finals and a 22nd place in the 2022 World Championship in France. Elisa Arlian, a respected ski instructor and teacher, shared Pession’s passion for the slopes, making their loss even more profound for the skiing community.
Flavio Roda, President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “This is a terrible tragedy for the world of winter sports, especially speed skiing. On behalf of the entire Federation, I extend our deepest condolences to the Pession family during this unimaginable time of grief.”
