Two British cross-country skiers who died after becoming stranded in a blizzard on a Norwegian mountain had been warned beforehand not to attempt the trip because of weather conditions, it emerged today.

Peter Wilson, 18, was found dead along with James Ross, 50, on the Hardangervidda plateau yesterday. His father, Rupert Wilson, 48, of Balnain, Inverness-shire, survived the ordeal and was today in a state of shock as he recovered from hypothermia in a hospital in Norway.

The trio were discovered by chance by a Red Cross team on a training exercise in the Hardangervidda National Park yesterday. Former soldier Mr Wilson had been skiing across country with his son Peter and Army friend Mr Ross, who was from the village of Evanton in Ross-shire.

This evening, Peter’s mother, Kirsten, paid tribute to her son, describing him as “wonderful boy.” Speaking from the family home in Balnain, she was too upset to comment further.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: “Peter really was a lovely boy - he was very friendly and well-known around here.

“I believe he was on a gap year and was planning to go to college or university after that. It is very sad.”

Oyvind Rosseland, the police chief in Odda leading the investigation, said officers had spoken to Mr Wilson, a Falklands War veteran, about the incident.

“This has of course been hard for him and he has lost his son and his friend in this tragedy. Emotionally he is devastated, beyond sadness,” Mr Rosseland said.

The Scots had set out on their trip on Friday and were found near a glacier, just two miles from the safety of a cabin. The group set out from the town of Finse and were heading south on cross-country skis to Kjeldebu, 17 miles (28 km) away – a journey that would take a good skier one day.

Police said that the teenager had experienced problems with the cold before they had set off.

Arnljot Veka, police chief of Ullensvang og Eidfjord, said: “Two were lying dead, and the third was sitting up alive, but nearly dead too.

"Actually it seems like they just gave in.”

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