A man has been arrested for murder after his ex-lover, her boyfriend and her family were shot dead at a ski resort.

The five fatal shootings took place in the quiet ski town of Kitzbuehe, Austria, at around 4am on Sunday.

The 25-year-old suspect had apparently turned up at the chalet, which belonged to his ex-girlfriend's father, in an attempt to speak to her.

A man has been arrested for murder after his ex-lover, her boyfriend and her family were shot dead at a ski resort in Kitzbuehe, Austria, at around 4am on Sunday

But her father opened the door and turned him away.

Shortly afterwards, it is thought the girl's father, mother and brother were all executed by a gunman.

The father's body was reportedly found close to the door, and her mother and older brother were apparently shot as they slept in their beds.

It is thought that he shot his ex-girlfriend's father as he opened the door to the house. Pictured: Forensic teams photographed the scene

After shooting her father he allegedly shot her mother and brother in their beds before climbing over an outside balcony (pictured) to reach his ex-girlfriend's adjoining apartment

One metal coffin is carried out of a house after police arrived on the scene following the assailant handing himself in shortly after his killing spree

Another of the victims was brought out of the chalet in a wooden coffin

Police say that the assailant was then impeded when he found that a door to a second apartment, where the 19-year-old was staying, was locked and he had to gain access by climbing over an outdoor balcony.

Shortly after the slaughter, a 25-year-old man, believed to be a former lover of the teenage victim, turned himself in to police and allegedly confessed to the murders.

The suspect and his girlfriend had broken up two months before the murders, according to Austria's Kurier newspaper. Pictured: Police patrolling the chalet

The town of Kitzbuehel sits east of Innsbruck and is known for hosting a famous downhill ski race

The suspect and his girlfriend had broken up two months before the killings, according to Austria's Kurier newspaper.

It was reported that the two had met again by chance while out late on Saturday night but had ended up having an argument.

The town of Kitzbuehel sits east of Innsbruck and is known for hosting a famous downhill ski race.

It is believed that the attack was prompted by a chance meeting between the man and his ex-girlfriend while out late on Saturday night which had led to an argument. Pictured: Police at the scene