Parks Canada has issued a level 3 avalanche risk for both Banff and Jasper National Park.

Level 3 represents a 'Considerable' risk, meaning that natural avalanches are possible, but human-triggered avalanches are highly likely.

A weak snow pack and fracturing of the top layer of snow is keeping the risk at the current level.

Parks Canada advises to keep a watchful eye on changing conditions and adapt plans accordingly to reflect the elevated danger ratings.

If an avalanche does occur in either of the parks, Parks Canada does anticipate that it could be quite large.

In the event that you are caught in an avalanche, there are some things you can do to survive.

It's important to swim to the top of the avalanche while it's still moving. Just as if you were in water, swimming avoids you from sinking or being buried in the dense snow.

If buried in the snow, as soon as you stop moving with the avalanche, one should begin spitting, allowing room to breathe.

The final step is to reach for the sky but keeping one arm above your head as rescuers will be able to see your hand in the snow either if you're buried or still moving in the avalanche.

With current conditions, if you are planning to go hiking, ice climbing or skiing outside the bounds of monitored areas such as Lake Louise, check conditions first and be prepared.

Dan Markham, Lake Louise Director of Branding and Communications said that currently the ski hill has not witnessed any area's that present a risk for an avalanche and that all run's are currently open.

"We have a full avalanche control team that monitors the situation pretty much every day, almost 24 hours a day from the weathers perspective and are constantly going throughout the mountain areas, everything within our lease hold to ensure that every possibility of an avalanche has been mitigated within bounds."

Additional snow fall or a significant change in weather could lead to an increased risk of Avalanche's in the National Parks.

Leah Crawford - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com