A British snowboarder is thought to have suffocated after getting his head and body stuck in the snow following an off-piste fall.

The man died while snowboarding in Meribel, in the French Alps, and authorities believe he may have been buried for half an hour before he was discovered.

Rescuers from nearby Courchevel reached the 25-year-old in the Allues area of the mountain, but were unable to resuscitate him.

A mountain rescue spokesman said the victim had been buried up to his pelvis in extremely compacted snow.

"The snowboarder was alone when he fell," said the spokesman.


"He was spotted by two witnesses skiing nearby who noticed a snowboard sticking out of the snow about 20m from the piste.

"They then realised that someone might be attached to the board."

The man, who has not yet been named, is understood to have been working in the popular resort for the winter season.

An inquiry has been opened into the incident.

A Foreign Office statement said: "We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in France.

"Our staff are in contact with the police in the UK and France, and the tour operator, about this case."