text: The family of the seven-year-old British boy killed in the French Alps say his death has left a ‘vast void in their hearts’. Carwyn Scott-Howell was described as a ‘daring, outgoing and determined’ youngster whose ‘handsome smile lit up any room’. The schoolboy was skiing with his family when he became separated from his mother and headed into dense woodland where he fell over a 164ft drop. Tragedy: Carwyn Scott-Howell (left; right) fell to his death while on  holiday with his mother Ceri, nine-year-old sister Antonia and brother Gerwyn, 19, in the Alps . Footprints in the snow eventually led police to his body, investigators revealed last night. They also described how the boy’s mother Cari, 44, desperately tried to find her missing son. In a moving tribute, Carwyn’s family described how he ‘made life full of laughter with never a dull moment’. ‘Seven years is too short a time to be an angel in the sky,’ they added. ‘Carwyn was an adorable, caring person who gave so much love. The family cannot explain their feeling of utter devastation with a vast void in their hearts.’ Carwyn, from Talybont-on-Usk in Wales, was said to have been a ‘very competent skier and snowboarder’ who had started skiing at the age of three. The family said they had spent ‘the most happy ski holiday together’ in the resort of Flaine in the days before the tragedy stuck. They were enjoying their last run of the day when the boy’s sister Antonia, nine, lost her ski on a jump and Carwyn pressed on ahead. His mother stopped to help her daughter and continued to the bottom of the piste. But Carwyn – who modelled himself on the TV adventurer Bear Grylls – was nowhere to be seen. Mrs Scott-Howell returned to their hotel believing her son had made his own way back, but returned to the mountain when she found he wasn’t there. Pierre-Yves Michau, the judge heading the investigation, said yesterday: ‘She asked everyone if they had seen him.’ It is believed Carwyn left the piste and entered woodland because he had spotted the resort through the trees. Taking off his skis, he continued on foot as he hurried to get there. Police chief Michel Ollagnon confirmed that officers had been led to the boy’s body by footprints in the snow. He said the final steps were broken up by ‘sliding marks’ where Carwyn had tackled the sharper inclines on his backside. Scene: Carwyn's family are believed to be staying in this hotel, close to the slopes where the seven-year-old died . Tragic trail: Search teams said they followed the little boy's footprints and found his final steps broken up by ‘sliding marks’ Accident: The Welsh schoolboy is believed to have got lost in the woods pictured above . Carwyn, who friends say modelled himself on survival specialist and TV presenter Bear Grylls, is believed to have taken the chance to go skiing in woodland to get back to Flaine, pictured . Mr Ollagnon said: ‘We think he was attracted by the ski station that he could see below. We think he was heading for the resort.’ Police last night said Carwyn’s body is ready to be repatriated but his family remained in the Alps. Back in Wales, his friends have written in a condolence book on display at Brecon Cathedral: ‘Miss you in class. Miss you at playtime. We will miss you always.’ Alongside the book is a picture of Carwyn dressed in his karate kit. At the youngster’s school in Brecon, head teacher Emyr Jones said pupils were devastated, adding: ‘We are all grieving.’ He described Carwyn as a ‘lively, likeable pupil who will be greatly missed’ at Ysol Y Bannau school. County councillor Liam Fitzpatrick said the community would rally behind the Scott-Howells, who are well known for their award-winning farm shop. He added: ‘It’s horrendous. A tragic, tragic accident.’ Carwyn lived with his parents at their farmhouse in the village near the Brecon Beacons. He is said to have loved the mountains and helping on the farm where he had grown up. The family often attended food fairs across the country and David Cameron was pictured buying a scotch egg from the family’s stand last year. Holiday: Carwyn's family has said 'the most happy ski holiday' in Flaine, France, turned to tragedy after Carwyn became detached from the group on the last run of the day .
target: Carwyn Scott-Howell died on a family holiday in Flaine in French Alps .
  He went ahead alone when sister fell and his mother stopped to help .
  Skied into dense woodland before sliding towards a 164-foot cliff .
  Thought he may have entered woodland as thought it was shortcut to hotel .
  Family described him as a 'very daring, outgoing, determined little boy'