Mount Etna spews molten hot lava as skiers take to its slopes

A SNOWY ski slope turns into a fiery peak as hot lava spews from an erupting volcano.

Mount Etna in Sicily started erupting on February 11.

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But despite bans, skiers have taken to the slopes.

Ash, hot stones and giant flames can be seen in the background.

And an image shows the skiers admiring the eruption.

Marco Bassot, who has 416,000 Instagram followers, captured the moment on camera in Sicily, Italy.

Snowboarder Marco said: “This fracture started some days ago and created a huge, intense and impressive lava flow for more than 1,000 meters.

“I’ve seen many things in my 40 years of life but riding side by side of a flowing river of lava is one of the most special, impressive, and breathtaking experiences I’ve ever lived.”

A 3km river of lava is currently flowing out of the crater.

In the past, Etna’s eruptions have caused nearby towns to be covered in black volcanic ash.

This time round it has caused minimal disruption.