Professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend Elisa Arlian were tragically found dead in a ‘final embrace.’
Professional skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend, Elisa Arlian, were tragically found dead in a “final embrace” after a hiking accident on Mount Zerbion in Italy’s Aosta Valley. Pession, a member of Italy’s World Cup speed skiing team, and Arlian, a cross-country ski instructor and teacher, were reported missing when they failed to return home, prompting a search by rescue teams. Their bodies were discovered buried in the snow, tied together, near the summit.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed the couple fell nearly 2,300 feet in a mountain accident. While the exact cause remains unclear, it’s believed they may have slipped on snow or unstable ground. Rescue teams located them after hours of searching, eventually picking up a signal from one of their phones.
The tragic news has left the sporting community and their families devastated. Aosta Valley’s Regional Council President, Alberto Bertin, expressed condolences, describing the accident as a profound loss for their loved ones and the sports world. President Flavio Roda of the Italian Winter Sports Federation also mourned the loss, honoring Pession’s contributions to skiing.
Messages of sorrow have poured in, with many remembering the couple’s passion for the mountains. Their untimely deaths have left a lasting impact on their families, friends, and the entire winter sports community.
