The 38-year-old, named by friends online as Jamie Clark from Doncaster in South US, was among 10 people swept away from the slopes at the popular alpine resort of Verbier, to the east of Geneva, on Monday morning.

Eight other people escaped uninjured, local police said, while one was flown to hospital with serious injuries.

It is believed Mr Clark had been working as a chef in Verbier for several years before he died.

Writing on Facebook, Rachel-Joan Ciandella said: “Jamie would want us all to get together- to meet & most of all dance!!!! My deepest condolences to his family Id been in regular contact & he was loving life in Verbier & happy healthy. Sad freak accident.”

Gareth Fletcher added: “What a sound lad. Always had time for a chat with anyone.”

And Michael Bentley posted: “Always a laugh n always there to chat … top lad, will be missed.”

A police spokesman said: “The avalanche occurred outside the piste between the Verbier ski area and Les Attelas. At around 10.20am, a skier was driving down a corridor below the Attelas area.

“A snow drift came loose and carried the skier as well as another person who had been further down at the time.”

Police said an investigation has been launched.

It follows several days of heavy snowfall across Switzerland, which claimed the life of another skier who died after being buried alive by an avalanche while skiing in Gstaad.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in the Swiss Alps, and are in contact with the authorities in Switzerland.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”