Skiers in Switzerland Form Heart-Shaped Tribute for Victims of New Year’s Fire

A newly released video from Switzerland captures a group of skiers sliding into formation to create a large heart in the snow, a gesture dedicated to people who died in a fire during New Year’s celebrations.

The recording shows the participants moving down a wide alpine slope before positioning themselves in two curved lines that eventually meet at the bottom, outlining a near-perfect heart. Once in place, the skiers stop, leaving the pristine shape visible against the white landscape. The silent tribute lasts several moments before the group disperses.

Organizers of the display chose the heart, an internationally recognized symbol of compassion and solidarity, to offer support to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the holiday blaze. No additional commentary can be heard in the footage, and the skiers’ faces are mostly hidden by helmets and goggles, emphasizing the collective nature of the tribute rather than any individual presence.

The exact location of the slope is not identified in the video, but the surroundings feature the steep peaks and expansive runs typical of Swiss winter resorts. Weather conditions appear calm, with clear visibility and well-groomed snow, allowing the formation to stand out sharply from above. The scene was captured from an elevated vantage point—likely a mountainside overlook or a drone—providing a full view of the coordinated movement.

The New Year’s fire referenced in the tribute claimed several lives, though the video itself does not specify how many. In the days that followed, condolences circulated widely, and moments of silence were observed in various communities. The skiers’ action adds a visual dimension to those expressions of grief, transforming a recreational setting into a temporary memorial.

Public acts of remembrance are common after fatal incidents, especially in sports settings where large gatherings can draw attention to a cause or loss. In past tragedies, teams and athletes have paused competition, worn commemorative symbols, or organized similar formations to honor victims. Researchers studying responses to collective trauma note that visible gestures—such as a heart in fresh snow—help communities process grief by creating a shared focal point (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).

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Viewers of the clip have commented on the precision required to outline the shape on an open slope. The participants start from different points on the hill, maintain consistent speed, and stop simultaneously to complete the design. No ski patrol markers, ropes, or external guides are visible, suggesting the group relied on prior planning and on-snow coordination rather than ground markings.

The video ends shortly after the heart dissolves. The skiers turn away from the formation and glide toward the base of the run, leaving only faint tracks where the outline once stood. While the snow quickly loses the distinctive shape, the recording preserves the tribute, allowing it to circulate well beyond the mountain where it was performed.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live