Tens of thousands of holidaymakers in the Austrian Tyrol are cut off after more than 10ft of snow fell in less than two days.
British skiers and snowboarders are among those reportedly stuck in Alpine resorts such as Ischgl, Galtur and St Anton am Arlberg as dozens of roads were closed.
Avalanche warning service spokesman Rudi Mair told the Daily Telegraph: “This is a type of snowfall the like of which we have not seen for years.
“Combined with that there are very high winds which are making conditions especially dangerous.”
Paznaun-Ischgl tourism director Andreas Steibl said: “Although the roads have been closed, the resort itself has been operating as normal with skiers and boarders experiencing amazingly good conditions.
“The forecast for the rest of the week is for sunnier conditions, so we don’t think there will be problems with people getting in and out at the weekend.”