About 40 people work on the rescue after an avalanche near the French Alps resort of Tignes on Feb 13, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

An Alps Security rescue worker said the bodies of the four dead had been retrieved by early afternoon. He said about 40 people had working on the rescue, which involved helicopters and local ski instructors.

The avalanche risk in the area was evaluated at three on a five-point scale. Other slopes at the resort were still open on Monday, the first day of the British winter school holidays.