Jean Daniel Pession, 28, and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian tragically lost their lives in Italy after falling from Mount Zerbion, a well-known skiing spot in the Aosta Valley. The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed this ‘terrible tragedy,’ which occurred during a hike in the area.
The couple was reported missing when they failed to return home, prompting a rescue team to be dispatched to search for them. Authorities were contacted by their families, and firefighters and helicopters were sent out. Unfortunately, the bodies of Pession and Arlian were discovered buried in snow after a fall of approximately 2,300ft from the mountain’s summit. They were found still tied together, with rescuers locating them using the signal from one of their cell phones.
Jean Daniel Pession was a prominent Italian skier who at 28 years old had previously finished 15th in the World Cup. The Italian Winter Sports Federation expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of both Pession and his girlfriend. The Federation praised Pession’s accomplishments during his career, including his 15th-place finish in the final World Cup ranking in 2021 and his 22nd-place result at the World Championships in Vars in 2022.
This devastating incident has shocked the world of winter sports, with President Flavio Roda and the entire Federation offering their condolences to the Pession family for their heartbreaking loss. The couple’s fatal fall from Mount Zerbion serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with engaging in alpine activities.