Ellie Soutter’s family say her ashes will be scattered on her favourite mountain

TEAM GB snowboarder Ellie Soutter's heartbroken family say her ashes will be scattered on her favourite mountain as their paid tribute to the teenager.

Ellie Soutter was found dead on her 18th birthday on Wednesday in remote woodland near her home in the French resort of Les Gets.

Tragically instead of gathering to celebrate her milestone birthday, her devastated loved ones will pay their respects at her funeral on Thursday.

A portrait of the teen with looking carefree and happy - taken at her cousin's wedding just a few weeks ago - will sit on top of her coffin.

Her ashes will then be scattered on her favourite mountain, Mont Chery, according to the Mail on Sunday.

Paying tribute to the rising star, Ellie's dad, Tony, 53, said: "From this day on, every snowflake that falls on Les Gets will have been ridden by Ellie first."

He has also pledged to create the Ellie Soutter Foundation to help young Brits who need financial support to become winter sports athletes like her.

Her uncle, Jeremy, told the newspaper: "She was her bubbly, effervescent self at the wedding. She enjoyed it so much.

"She was in great spirits and was really just the lovely Ellie that she is. You could never have anticipated this."

Speaking earlier this week, he said there were "no signs at all" before the teen's death.

Jeremy said: “She was as bright as a button the day before. Happy, excited about life. This is the thing that’s killing her father."

Dad Tony, who heads the French office of MIDAS Kitchens, last saw Ellie at 8am on Wednesday when he went to say goodbye before going to work.

He went into her bedroom to wish her happy birthday but she was fast asleep.

The dad also sent a text but never heard back - calling police at 6pm when he still hadn't heard from her.

Sniffer dogs were called in to help with the search, making the devastating find in nearby woodland about 11.15pm.

Ellie's mother, Lorraine Denman, a bodybuilder and former Miss UK who lives in Hove, East Sussex, is expected to head to the French Alps for her funeral this week.

Ellie moved to Les Gets in 2009, and was home schooled in her final two years of education due to her sporting commitments.

Jeremy said: “She wasn’t just sporty. She was very bright too. She got top academic results which is really something considering all the sport she was doing.

"She wanted to be good at everything. She expected a lot of herself.

"There’s certainly a lot of pressure from competing. The travelling is immense too. She had a very busy training schedule and generally all of that takes its toll.

"But Tony never pressured her. This was not some parent’s dream. This was coming from her.

"She loved the sport and Tony supported her in any way he could. Financially, emotionally.

"The outpouring of affection and grief has been overwhelming. There’s no way she understood what she meant to so many people.

"There are so many ifs and buts. Too many to contemplate. Until Wednesday we were just a family like any other other, believing something like this happens to other people not us.”

Tributes have flowed in for the teen, who had claimed Team GB's only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkey last year when she was just 16.

A specialist in freeride and boardercross, Ellie was due to return to snowboard cross competition, representing Britain at the Junior World Championships in New Zealand next month.

British Ski Cross champion Emily Sarsfield added: "So sad to hear the news of the passing of Ellie Soutter.

"You really were an amazing girl! Such a fun teammate, made me smile everyday, cracking all the jokes and enjoying life to it’s fullest! I’m going to miss you and your amazing energy. All my thoughts to your family."

Olympic champion Amy Williams added: "Such sad tragic news to wake up to. Thoughts and prayers go to Ellie Soutter’s family."

Ellie's ex-boyfriend Oscar Mandin, 21, also revealed how Ellie struggled with "bouts of sadness" but would always speak to family and friends about it.

He said snowboarding was her "happy place", adding: "I think sport was the thing that gave her her smiles.

Grieving Oscar said he still spoke to the teen after they broke up last year.

He said: "She would call me even after we were no longer together and ask for help in the form of talking about things.

"I wouldn’t use the word depressed. She was just sad sometimes. And she wanted to speak to someone who knew her. So we’d meet for a coffee and talk. But this time she didn’t call me. She didn’t call anyone."

He said Tony had called him about 4pm asking if there was anywhere Ellie might have gone after she failed to answer her phone, finding out the devastating truth just hours later.

Oscar said: "(Tony) was an incredible father. Devoted everything to her. He’s an extraordinary man.

"When Ellie and I were dating we always said we’d look out for each other’s families if anything happened to either of us. I’ll do that."

Oscar described Ellie as “very determined”.

He said: “She was a really fantastic person. She was very determined in everything she did.”

Dad Tony confirmed his daughter's death on Facebook, writing: "This cruel world took my Soul mate and 'Bessie' from me yesterday on her 18th birthday. I was so proud of the beautiful young woman she had turned into.

"Ellie I will miss you more than you could have ever imagined. Rest in peace you little Champion !"

British Ski & Snowboard issued an emotional statement describing Ellie as among the "best" young boarders in the UK.

They said: "Ellie was one of the country’s best up-and-coming snowboarders, competing in both snowboard cross and freeride.

"A bronze medallist in snowboard cross at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkey, Ellie claimed Team GB’s only medal of the event.

"She spent the 2017/18 season competing on the Freeride Junior Tour, but was due to return to snowboard cross competition next month after being selected in the British team for the Junior World Championships in New Zealand.

"She was an inaugural member of the British Europa Cup snowboard cross programme which commenced earlier this year.

"The thoughts and condolences of the British Ski & Snowboard community are with Ellie’s family, friends and teammates."

British Olympic Association Chair Hugh Robertson and BOA Athlete Commission Chair Ben Hawes said: “Ellie was an incredibly popular and well-liked member of the team.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time”