2nd January 2026 | James Cove, Alberta, Canada.
Final modified on January 4th, 2026
The tragedy has been felt throughout the ski world. It is without doubt one of the worst disasters in a ski resort in latest occasions. PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, assesses its impression, historic place & response from the ski world. NEW
I’m at present in Canada, 4,850 miles from Crans-Montana, within the ski group of Banff in Alberta.
It’s headline information in Canada with the tragedy dominating information bulletins, entrance pages and conversations in ski resorts.
I believed it might be talked about within the media, however to not the extent it has been.
It’s resonating with the ski group right here.
It’s being mentioned by individuals in lifts and bars – the temper is sombre, reflective and sympathetic.
“It’s simply terrible and the victims are so, so younger with their lives forward of them,” stated a person I used to be chatting to within the Mineshaft Tavern bar in Canmore on Thursday night.
“Folks in Switzerland might have little curiosity to know that we’re excited about them at this tough time, however we’re.”
If the impression is felt nearly 5,000 miles away I can solely think about the sensation and temper within the Alps.
The Swiss skier, Camille Rast, gained the World Cup GS race at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia on Saturday.
The Swiss star’s major ideas on securing her first ever Audi FIS World Cup GS triumph had been for many who misplaced their lives within the tragic New 12 months’s Eve hearth in her hometown of Crans-Montana.
“It’s superb however to begin with this weekend in my hometown there’s a tragic accident and I take into consideration all these households and we raced for them this weekend,” stated Camille Rast.
Considered one of PlanetSKI’s freelance reporters goes by the title of ‘Valais Dude’ on X.
He’s based mostly for components of the winter throughout the Rhone Valley from Crans-Montana in Veysonnez, and Crans-Montana is within reach.
Heavy hearts throughout Valais this morning after the catastrophe final evening in Crans-Montana. A number of nationalities are among the many victims. Assist line for British nationals 👇🏻 https://t.co/3uDe0gJHEX
— Valais Dude (@ValaisDude) January 1, 2026
See right here for PlanetSKI’s essential information report on the tragedy at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, up to date by our chief reporter Jane Peel:
Switzerland is a rustic in a state of mourning and it’s being seen as one of many worst disasters to strike the alpine nation.
Flags within the capital Bern are being flown at half mast for 5 days.
A vigil was held on Thursday night outdoors Le Constellation bar with floral tributes laid.
A whole lot of native individuals gathered on the Montana Station Church.
The Swiss President, Man Pamelin, stated the fireplace was “one of many worst tragedies that out nation has skilled.”
“The Swiss tourism trade extends its deepest sympathy to the individuals of Crans-Montana following the devastating hearth on the flip of the yr,” stated a press release kind Switzerland Tourism.
“Our ideas are with all these affected and with the group that’s standing collectively throughout this tough time.”
Considered one of our readers, who skis usually in Switzerland, despatched us a message:
“Horrible about Crans-Montana, I’m so unhappy.
“My daughter instructed me about it after she noticed early particulars on PlanetSKI.
“I used to be meant to go subsequent weekend, however I don’t have the center.”
One other of our readers, is aware of a household in Lausanne the place two of the boys who’re of their early 20s had been within the bar – they’ve 80% burns and are within the metropolis’s hospital.
There have been feedback on the PlanetSKI Fb web page from readers:
Wendy Byford: That is so tragic.
Julie Howe: My coronary heart goes out to everybody RIP xx
Genesis Gardening: 40 useless and 100 injured….very unhappy..
Melisa Beech: 
On the different finish of the spectrum of response from people, King Charles stated he and his spouse Queen Camilla had been “drastically saddened” to be taught of the fireplace, and that it was “completely heartbreaking {that a} evening of celebration for younger individuals and households as an alternative turned to such nightmarish tragedy”.
The King’s message to the President of Switzerland following the fireplace in Crans-Montana final evening. pic.twitter.com/aD6OI2zFeM
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) January 1, 2026
King Charles was a daily skier in his youthful days, and skied primarily in Klosters in Switzerland.
Resorts throughout the Alps have provided sympathy and help.
Val d’Isere in France is only one and represents many.
The tragedy in Crans-Montana ranks are one of many worst disasters within the mountains.
Final winter 78 individuals, together with 34 youngsters, died in a lodge hearth on the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Turkey.
The earlier winter I skied within the resort and I reported on the tragedy on the time of the blaze from Istanbul as I handed via on my approach to Japan.
The ski resort is without doubt one of the nearest ones to Istanbul.
Because the Kartalaya hearth courtroom instances have been introduced and jail sentences handed down.
It stays to be seen what occurs in Crans-Montana because the investigations have solely simply begun, however many individuals query why the fireplace unfold so rapidly and brought on such lack of life.
The authorities say they are going to be thorough and rigorous of their investigation, with prison prices introduced if vital.
The tragedy in Crans-Montana ranks alongside a few of the different main alpine disasters lately:
A hearth within the tunnel of Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular killed 155 individuals. A lot of the victims had been skiers on their approach to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Austria with numerous youngsters from the village heading to ski camps.
An enormous powder avalanche struck the Austrian village destroying buildings and burying 57 individuals. 31 died. The avalanche was 50m excessive and travelled at 290 km/h. It was thought of the worst Alpine avalanche in 40 years.
Twelve individuals within the village misplaced their lives in an avalanche. A number of constructions had been both broken or utterly destroyed because of the drive of the avalanche that hit the village close to Le Tour. It was some of the harmful avalanches within the French Alps since 1970.
Provides have help have been flooding in.
The neighbouring nations of France, Germany and Italy had been among the many first.
Different nations have provided assist, together with Poland, Croatia and Israel.
Whereas right here in Canada ski life, in fact, continues regardless of information of the tragedy – however it has been keenly felt.
Within the Alps the scars shall be a lot deeper and lives by no means be the identical once more.
What just isn’t unsure is the united and international nature of these of us that ski and snowboard.
Wherever we’re on this planet.
We’re a group.
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