The French resort of Les 2 Alpes has issued a statement this evening stating that it is 'in shock' after two school children along with a tourist from Ukraine were killed in an avalanche on it slopes at 3pm this afternoon.
Two other children and their teacher suffered serious injuries on the black slope, which has been closed since the start of the season, initially due to too little snow cover.
"The Station of 2 Alpes is in shock. Our thoughts go out tonight to the families of the victims. Today at 3pm an avalanche started for unknown reasons on a closed area of the ski area. The paramedics were organised quickly and a hundred trackers and monitors intervened with five avalanche dogs to help the victims. At this time, 8pm, three people are dead, emergency services are still on site and continue the search. An investigation is being conducted by the Prosecutor of Grenoble."
French President Francois Hollande offered "sincere condolences" to the victims' families and said "the solidarity of the whole nation" was with them.
There have been huge snowfalls in the French Alps, with Chamonix reporting 3m/10 feet in the last seven days and some other French resorts 1.5-1.8m. Temperatures have dropped and there have also seen strong winds of up to 90mph reported. Avalanche danger levels are extremely high and resorts are urging skiers to stay on pistes rather than venturing off piste.