The avalanche trapped a group of about 30 mountaineers in Bezengi in the Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria on Sunday. Eleven are now confirmed dead and several more are missing.
The group was on Mount Mizhirgi when the tragedy occurred. A major rescue operation is underway.
Kabardino-Balkaria in the North Caucasus is one of Russia's most popular areas for mountaineering and alpinism. Europe's highest mountain, Elbrus, at 5,642 meters, is located in the republic.
