Skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend tragically pass away after falling off Italian mountain during World Cup event – NBC10 Philadelphia

The skiing community is mourning a devastating loss with the tragic passing of professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian. The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed their deaths in a mountain accident in Aosta Valley, Italy. Pession, 28, and Arlian, 27, suffered a fall of almost 2,300 feet while hiking Mount Zerbion. Their bodies were found buried in the snow by search and rescue teams after their families reported them missing.

Italian outlet RAI reported that the couple may have slipped on the snow or had the ground give way while continuing along the ridge of the mountain. Despite the challenges, search and rescue teams were able to locate them with the help of a device that grabbed onto one of their cell phone signals. They were found tied together in what appeared to be a final embrace.

Pession was a respected figure in the skiing community, with accomplishments such as placing fifteenth in the 2021 final World Cup and 22nd at the World Championships in 2022. The Italian Winter Sports Federation expressed their condolences to the Pession family and highlighted his contributions to the sport.

Alberto Bertin, the President of Aosta Valley’s Regional Council, also extended his sympathies to the families, friends, and the entire sporting community in this difficult time. He emphasized the passion that Pession and Arlian had for the mountains and expressed solidarity with those grieving the loss of two young lives.