Helicopters airlifted two rescuers to the avalanche site, who located and recovered his body thanks to a radio transmitter he was carrying.

The victim's two companions had managed to fight their way out following the avalanche on Sunday.

Snow slides claimed the lives of three other skiers at the weekend, while two climbers were also found dead near Mont Blanc, buried beneath snow at about 3,500 metres (11,500 feet) altitude.