Whilst off-piste in Meribel a British snowboarder is thought to have suffocated to death after a fall head first into the fresh snow.
French Authorities have said the 25 year old, a seasonnaire in the French resort of Meribel, could have been buried upside down for 30 minutes before being discovered.
Attempts to resuscitate by rescuers from neighbouring Courchevel were unfortunately not succesful, with the man pronounced dead at the scene.
A spokesperson for the Alps mountain rescue said: “The snowboarder was alone when he fell.
“He was spotted by two witnesses skiing nearby who noticed a snowboard sticking out of the snow about 20m from the piste.
“They then realised that someone might be attached to the board.”
He said two witness had called for help before trying to reach the young man themselves and lift him out of the snow.
“It was very difficult for them. He was buried up to his pelvis and the snow was very heavy, very compacted.”
An inquest has been opened into the death.