Authorities initially believed up to 10 people were missing, but the estimated number has now fallen to two.

About 200 rescue workers are searching for those still missing who may be buried under the snow near the town of Zuers.

The avalanche happened at about 3pm local time – 2pm GMT – on the nearly 9,000ft Trittkopf mountain between Zuers and Lech am Arlberg.

Searchlights were set up to continue the search after darkness fell and dogs are being used to try to find those missing.

One person has been rescued from the snow so far.

Lech-Zuers tourism director Hermann Fercher said the remaining search would continue ‘all night if we have to.’

Today’s avalanche followed days of snow in the high alpine region and unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Day, the Austria Press Agency reported.

The cascading snow reportedly reached as far as nearby ski trails.

This morning, the local mountain rescue service had rated the avalanche danger as high.