Snow in the mountains has skiers and boarders jumping for joy but the increased accumulation also means the terrain is ripe for avalanches.

Snow slides have already been reported in five separate locations in the mountain parks and public safety specialists say that is a good reminder to get educated on avalanche safety.

“There is a history in the Rockies of early season avalanche accidents, so they do happen out here related to that high use of ice climbing, so we certainly encourage people to just really evaluate what's going on, and like the Jolly Green Giant says, look way up, and see what's going on way, way up above you in terms of where you are in relation to the terrain,” said Mike Koppang, Public Safety Specialist.

Koppang says that winter arrives with a blast of rain followed by snow and that can cause problems later on.

“We've got what we're calling the November rain crust down at the bottom of the snow pack and that crust is probably going to linger throughout the season at the base of the snow pack and it's a layer that's going to cause some problems over time.”

For the latest conditions, visit the Canadian Avalanche Centre website.