Deadly New Year’s Eve Fire Rocks Crans-Montana, Over 40 Dead

The global ski community is waking up to heartbreaking news from the Swiss Alps. In the early hours of January 1, 2026, a celebratory night at the Crans-Montana ski resort turned into a nightmare. A massive fire tore through Le Constellation, a popular basement bar and lounge, during one of the busiest weeks of the winter season.

The blaze reportedly broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene inside the crowded venue, where many young people were ringing in the new year. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been ignited by sparklers on champagne bottles that came into contact with the ceiling.

The fire spread with terrifying speed, leading to a flashover—a phenomenon where combustible vapors ignite simultaneously. This rapid intensification trapped many revelers in the basement level, forcing some to break windows with tables just to escape the smoke.

Swiss authorities have confirmed that approximately 40 people lost their lives. Another 115 people were injured, with many suffering severe burns. The scale of the disaster overwhelmed local medical facilities, requiring the deployment of 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to transport victims to specialized burn units in Geneva, Zurich, and Lausanne.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, called the incident "one of the worst tragedies" in the country's history. A five-day period of mourning has been declared across Switzerland.

As investigators work to identify victims and determine the exact cause, the resort remains operational, though the village area around the bar is cordoned off. Crans-Montana, a staple on the Epic Pass, was scheduled to host World Cup events later this month.

Whether we’re in the Tetons or the Swiss Alps, our thoughts are with the families affected by this unthinkable event. We urge everyone traveling this season to stay vigilant and look out for one another.