“The two skiers had sent a text to one of their family members asking them to call the MRT after they realised they were lost when night fell.

“The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Inverness carried out a large sweep of Cairngorm mountain and Ben Macdui which is where the skiers where [sic] thought to have been. Due to bad weather coming in they had to halt their search just after 1am but were airborne again just after 6.30am at first light. Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team were also carrying out a massive search of the area.

“This time our Coastguard helicopter found the skiers safe and well, albiet a little cold at 7.40am and winched them onboard to safety. Thankfully, despite their ordeal they did not require medical treatment and were airlifted to the Mountain Rescue base to warm up.”

With the snow in Scotland recently piling up, the rescue teams in the north of the country have seen more action than usual in recent months.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) said: “A happy conclusion this morning with yesterday’s navigationally challenged ski tourers located after a cold night out in a snow hole on the plateau.”