The bodies of five skiers have been found on a glacier above the Swiss resort town of Zermatt, authorities said, after two hikers reported seeing abandoned skis near the Rimpfischhorn, a 4000-metre peak in the Valais Alps.

Police said on Sunday the victims were found on the Adler Glacier following aerial and ground searches.

Three of the bodies were found some 500 metres from where the skis were located, Swiss broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) reported.

Air Zermatt, the helicopter company that carried out the search flight, said that the three bodies were found on an avalanche cone.

The two other bodies were found nearly 200 metres higher, on a small, snow-covered area, Air Zermatt added.

Formal identification of the victims is still underway, and their nationalities have not yet been released.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

Weather conditions and avalanche activity in the region are being examined as part of the probe.