The rise in temperatures this week coupled with the heavy winter snowfall have led to some spectacular avalanches in the French Alps.

An off-piste skier is in a serious condition after an avalanche at Auron in the Martime Alpes.

A large avalanche on the Dent Parrachée (3697m) early this morning in the Savoie department has left three dead and three injured, one in a critical condition.

A skier was injured after being hit by debris from a cornice fall on the east side of Col de la Roche Noire in the Belledonne range.

There were two avalanche incidents in the Three Valleys area yesterday which injured three skiers, one using an airbag system.

A Russian skier has been seriously injured after an avalanche hit the open piste she was skiing on yesterday afternoon.

There have been a cluster of avalanche incidents in the French Alps today following high winds and 50-100cm of fresh snow.

A skier has suffered serious head injuries following an avalanche at Ax-3-Domaines in the Pyrenees.

A 47 year old skier has been killed by an avalanche on the south side of the Pic du Midi above la Mongie in the Pyrenees. The skier, a high mountain guide, was assistant director of the Pic du Midi.