A major search was launched at the popular ski resort when the boy’s family reported him missing just before 5pm on Wednesday.

A ski patrol found the Roxburgh Park boy unconscious and covered in snow near a chalet on The Avenue just after 6.30pm, a Victoria Police spokesman said.

The boy was in cardiac arrest and was taken to the Mount Buller Medical Centre, where unsuccessful attempts were made to resuscitate him, Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said.

The the boy was believed to have been playing outside the chalet when a large amount of snow fell from the roof and buried him.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Terry Ryan said there was a near white-out when the boy went missing and visibility was very poor.

The temperature was just below freezing at 5.30pm but winds of 43km/h would have made it feel closer to minus 10, Mr Ryan said.

The death was not being treated as suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner, the Victoria Police spokesman said.