A New Zealander has died in a backcountry skiing trip in the Italian Alps.

They were among four people killed by an avalanche near the resort town of Courmayeur.

The group was reported missing yesterday.

Europe correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking their bodies were found overnight.

"This is an area which has had a lot of snow and avalanche warnings. Immediately, Italian Apline search and rescue went out to starting looking when they received the call"

It was a bad weekend for fatalities in the Alps, with at least eight people losing their lives, including the three struck by the avalanche near Courmayeur.

LISTEN ABOVE AS CATHERINE FIELD SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING