Bregenz, Austria  - A skier trapped under collapsed snow in far western Austria was saved when he was able to call for help with his mobile phone.

The 44-year-old Austrian man defied warnings of unstable snow Wednesday and went skiing at Golm near Tschagguns.

He skied out on a slab of snow that gave way, carrying him along for several metres and burying him under 20 centimetres of snow, police said.

Luckily, a cavity formed in the snow that allowed him to breath, and after 30 minutes, he was able to reach his mobile phone and call for help.

A short time later, rescuers were able to locate him and dig him out, thanks to his call and one of his hands that was protruding from the snow.