The parents of an Oxfordshire man killed in a skiing accident on Mont Blanc last night paid tribute to the son they believed was “immortal”.

Ed Cakebread, 24, from West Hanney, near Wantage, died after apparently misjudging a ski jump on a snow park in Chamonix, France.

He had been at the resort for the ski season since December, working in a bar during the evening and skiing during the day.

His father Stuart said: “Everyone is obviously totally devastated.

“He was regarded as immortal because of the way he did things.

“We miss him hugely, but on the other hand we are phenomenally proud of a chap who people would only speak well of.”

His mother Pauline added: “He was the man to party with and the man who cared for you.

“He absolutely loved to party and he was the life and soul, the ringleader who entertained and amused people, but he was also very reflective, kind, considerate and thoughtful.”

Mr Cakebread was educated at the Manor School, Abingdon, Moulsford School, Wallingford, Marlborough College, Wiltshire, and Edinburgh University.

He graduated in June 2008 with a masters degree in philosophy.

He worked as a barman at The Plough in West Hanney during the holidays and attended St James the Great Church in West Hanney, where his father is a churchwarden.

His funeral will be held on Friday at 1pm.

Mr Cakebread, a barrister, said: “We have received dozens and dozens of letters since Ed died, he was immensely popular.

“We had originally planned to have lunch with his uncle in Chipping Norton on Easter Sunday, but we decided instead to ask some of his friends.

“We had 110 people turn up and that was just close friends through a few text messages.”

He said his son had hoped to work in the hospitality industry and planned to gain experience as a cocktail waiter in London when he returned from France.

He described him as a “buccaneer” because of his love of dressing up as a pirate.

An inquest will be held into Mr Cakebread’s death, but his father said he understood he died almost immediately, after landing on his head and neck.

An army nurse skiing past was on the scene moments after his accident on April 5.

A mountain rescue team arrived two minutes later, along with a helicopter from Chamonix.

Paramedics worked on Mr Cakebread for half-an-hour before he was pronounced dead.

Mr and Mrs Cakebread, who are divorced, flew out to Chamonix two days after he died with Ed’s twin brother and sister, Peter and Katy, both 19.

They said they were moved by the “phenomenal” stories about their son his friends from the resort had to share.

Flowers or donations should go to HJ Knapp & Sons at 4 Church Street, Wantage or on 01235 772205.