No fatalities as skiers swept away in French avalanche

French officials say an avalanche has struck the Alpine ski resort of Tignes, but that no one was killed.

A night view of the site of an avalanche at Lavachet Wall in Tignes, France, Monday Feb. 13, 2017. Source: AP

Many skiers were swept away by an avalanche at Tignes ski resort in the French Alps, first aid workers told Reuters.

A police spokesman quoted by local newspaper Le Dauphine said several people were buried by Tuesday's avalanche that came down on a busy ski slope.

The snow is said to have crossed the blue "Carline" ski slope and police issued an alert around 2106 (AEDT) on Tuesday.

"Several skiers have been shaken up and taken care of by resort personnel. Emergency staff were deployed immediately. After the search operations, there are no victims to report," a statement from the resort said.

Four people were killed in an avalanche at the same resort last month.

Since the beginning of the season, there have been 14 avalanches in the Alps and the Pyrenees, which have killed at least seven.

Last season, there were 45 incidents, which killed 21 people.

The vast Tignes ski area was entirely closed and skiers were evacuated by resort staff and police.

Rescue conditions were difficult because of fog which made it impossible for emergency workers from outside the resort to get there by helicopter. They had to come by road instead.

The avalanche risk was high on Tuesday at four on a scale of five.