The group had set out from the Dix rest-stop and were heading to Vignettes to sleep, trekking along a route called the Serpentine. But bad weather in the Pigne d’Arolla area struck unexpectedly.
The manager of a rest-stop in the remote mountain region called for help on Monday morning, triggering a rescue operation that involved seven helicopters.
One person was found dead at the scene, and was believed to have died in a fall. Three others died after being taken to hospital, followed by a fifth death late on Monday night. The other skiers in the group were said to have suffered mild hypothermia.
According to Swiss police, the victims were Italian, French and German nationals.
