Tragedy in Crans-Montana: The skiing world is also in mourning.

Deep sorrow prevails in the area where World Cup and World Championship races are soon to take place: The fire disaster in Crans-Montana has deeply affected athletes, federations, and fans worldwide. A search is underway for the right way to deal with the tragedy.

01 January 2026

From: fop

Crans-Montana, the fashionable ski resort in the Swiss Valais, began the year 2026 in deep shock. On New Year's Eve, a devastating fire in the Le Constellation nightclub claimed around 40 lives and left more than 100 people seriously injured.

The words "celebration" and "major sporting event" seem incompatible in Crans-Montana these days. The resort, which will host the Ski World Cup again in just a few weeks, is in shock. Two women's speed races and a men's downhill are scheduled for the last weekend of January – a highlight of the calendar and, at the same time, an important test of form for the ski stars before the Olympic races in Cortina and Bormio.

World Cup organizers are dismayed

But nobody wants to think that far ahead at this moment, not even about the next Ski World Championships, which are scheduled to take place in Crans-Montana next year. Instead, the news of the disaster triggered worldwide shock.

Flowers were laid at the barriers around the accident site in Crans-Montana. © APA/afp / MAXIME SCHMID

The organizers of the World Cup and World Championships in Crans-Montana have expressed their deepest condolences to the victims and their families via several social media platforms. In a published statement, they added: "We would also like to express our respect and thanks to all the emergency services deployed on site who worked with professionalism, dedication, and humanity."

FIS expresses condolences

The International Ski Federation (FIS) joined in the expressions of solidarity with the following statement on its website: “Our hearts are with our friends in Crans-Montana and especially with the families of the victims.” Several World Cup stars also used social media to express their condolences. They spoke of “terrible news” and said their “thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

The glamorous winter sports resort in Valais, which attracts thousands of international visitors every year and has been a fixture on the alpine racing circuit for decades, now faces a difficult challenge. While the community mourns, athletes, organizers, associations, and fans are preparing for new highlights that will be characterized by sporting brilliance, but also by respect and remembrance.