A Dutchman has been killed by an avalanche while out skiing with his 22-year-old son and a third person near the French alpine resort of Valmorel.

According to local media, the man was skiing off piste when the avalanche hit. The son was able to dig his father out of the snow but medical help came too late, local papers said.

The risk of avalanches in the Savoie region is high because of heavy snowfall and this is likely to be made worse on Tuesday because of the forecast sunshine, the local rescue service said.