Tragedy as British man, 55, killed in huge avalanche at popular ski resort

General view of the Mont Blanc (Image: GETTY)

A 55-year-old British man died after an avalanche descended on the Chamonix valley at the foot of the French side of the Mont Blanc. 

The avalanche occurred in an off-piste section of the valley on Tuesday afternoon at Les Grand Montets resort in Argentiere - a ski area in Chamonix. Police confirmed that the man's body was discovered by ski patrol at 4:35pm.

The avalanche hit as they were about to close the slopes for the day. Upon inspection, they found the man's elbow poking out of the snow. 

Medics flew in via helicopter but he was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting rescuers to search for other victims for two hours.

The prefecture of the Haute-Savoie said: "A very large avalanche occurred in the Grands Montets ski area, in the Herse sector.

The avalanche occurred in the Chamonix Valley. (Image: Getty)

"Due to very unfavourable weather conditions and the significant risk of a second avalanche, the rescue operation was halted late in the evening. The checks carried out confirm a provisional assessment of one victim."

He told skiers to "imperatively respect the precautionary instructions given by the resorts and public services".

Mountain police added: "The victim was a 55-year-old man of English origin. The reasons for the triggering of this kilometre-long and 400-metre-wide flow are currently unknown and an investigation is underway."

Local media reported that the victim had already skied down the mountain 10 times before the avalanche struck on his 11th attempt. 

The European Avalanche Danger Scale rated the risk a four out of five, making it a "high" risk event.

The Bochard gondola, the mountain's highest ski lift, was closed later in the day due to strong winds.