Nine snowmobilers have been found safe after being reported missing in the backcountry near Whistler, B.C., according to the RCMP.

Mounties say the sledders are cold and hungry after spending the night outdoors, but are otherwise OK.

The snowmobilers were first reported missing by family and friends on Sunday evening when they failed to return home. Their vehicles were found parked at Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, just south of Whistler.

Police say the weather in the area turned bad quickly while the group was out, reducing visibility to near zero and apparently affecting the ability of the snowmobilers to find their way back to their vehicles.

"When the weather dropped, a bunch of these folks got trapped," said Sgt. Paul Hayes with the Sea to Sky Detachment RCMP Whistler/Pemberton.

Police said at least one person had a satellite tracking device, which made it possible to trace their location.