Mountaineers caught in a sudden blizzard dug a cave in the snow to survive.

The holidaymakers were caught in dense fog and a freezing blizzard on Uludag Mountain in Turkey, with temperatures reaching -13 degrees Celsius. The mountain is one of the country's most popular winter tourism destinations.

Dramatic footage shows the hikers melting ice for sustenance and listening to music to stay active and warm.

They are also seen cooking pasta over a small portable stove while safely tucked away in the cave.

After a reported 59 centimetres of snowfall, five mountaineers from the Bursa Alpine Mountaineering and Specialisation Club began their climb from the hotel area to set up camp at the summit on January 12.

They set out around noon but were caught in dense fog and the blizzard, forcing them to stop and camp for the night.

They had breakfast at first light and returned to the hotel area.