1,200 Edinburgh students on ski trip "safe" despite Alps avalanche risk

Edinburgh University says 1,200 students on a ski trip are "safe" despite a high avalanche risk affecting parts of the Alps.

The group from the University's Snowsports Club are visiting the Val Thorens region of the French Alps for the week but their trip is not expected to be affected.

They have experienced poor visibility but are not in the worst affected areas which continue to be impacted by heavy snow.

The Swiss resort Zermatt is thought to be the worst affected, with some visitors being airlifted by helicopter. Many ski slopes have also been closed.

An avalanche hit a five-storey building in Sestrieres, in the Italian Alps, on Monday, with 29 people escaping from the building.

Bosses at Edinburgh University say they continue to get regular updates from the ski group and will remain in contact with them in case conditions change.