Updated: Sun Feb. 13 2011 18:01:34

ctvedmonton.ca

Fresh snowfall combined with warmer temperatures prompted officials to raise the perceived risk level of slides Sunday, with Parks Canada urging the public to avoid areas that are deemed dangerous.

The chance of an avalanche is listed as high for tree-line and alpine areas in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

Two skiers suffered minor injuries after they were partially buried on the Emerald Lake slide path in Yoho National Park on Saturday. A group managed to dig them out, assisting them to a safe zone.

The avalanche threat is also forcing police to close some highways throughout the mountain parks, including the following:

• Hwy. 93 south, between Radium Hot Springs and Castle Junction at the TransCanada Hwy.

• TransCanada Hwy. from the Alberta/ B.C. border to the community of Field, located about 27 km. west of Lake Louise.

In both cases, safety specialists are carrying out avalanche control work to ensure the routes are safe for motorists once they reopen.