Two Britons have been killed in separate skiing accidents in the Swiss Alps.
Chris Longbottom, 39, originally from London, died in an avalanche in the resort of Col de Forclaz on Sunday, it was revealed today.
And a 65-year-old man suffered fatal head injuries after hitting a rock while skiing off-piste in the resort of Vercorin on Monday.
Mr Longbottom, who ran his own company in Switzerland called Ski Freedom, was with his wife Alexandra and four friends when they were hit by an avalanche more than 200 yards long and 50 yards wide.
His companions were all able to dig themselves out and call emergency services but Mr Longbottom was totally buried in 10ft of snow, officials said. His body was found only yesterday.
Baptiste Nicollier, 25, who worked with Mr Longbottom, said there was nothing that could be done.
He said: “Chris knew the mountain very well. I could not imagine there was any mistake. It was just the mountain.” Mr Longbottom, who has a British father and Swiss mother, was an entrepreneur who set up a number of ski, real estate and hotel businesses.
He was a passionate cyclist and endurance runner and also a professional golfer at the age of 18.
He had written on a website: “Everything I do, I do to the max. I love my skiing, love my running, love my mountains, love my freedom.”
The second British man died after being airlifted to hospital.
He received serious head injuries despite the fact he was wearing a helmet, said police.
His group had been skiing on a forestry road in the Orzival region, in an area known as Creux du Varnec, when the skier fell.
So far this winter 13 people have died in avalanches in Switzerland.
