More than 160 crashes have been reported in Alberta so far, after a winter storm struck the province.

Dozens of people were left stranded Saturday in Crossfield, a small town north of Calgary, following a multi-vehicle pileup on a snowy highway.

Close to 40 vehicles collided in three separate crashes on Highway 2, which is the main route connecting Calgary with Edmonton. Two people were seriously injured and taken to hospital in Calgary.

"The highway was more-or-less ice with drifting snow," Crossfield fire chief Ben Niven said about one of the crash scenes on Highway 2.

On Friday night, a fatal collision occurred on Highway 43 near Valleyview.

Some drivers in Edmonton found their cars sliding off the roads, and a parking ban has been put into place to allow snow crews to clear the roads.

Meanwhile, motorists are being advised to avoid travelling between Calgary and Brooks, Alta. because of whiteout conditions. Officials have sent salt trucks out on the road in Calgary, and airport crews have been working to de-ice planes.  

Carissa Vescio, communications advisor for the city of Calgary roads, told CTV News channel that the province prepared for the storm by ensuring that all vehicles and crews were ready to go.

“The blowing snow does make it a bit more challenging from a roads maintenance perspective, but we are maintaining all of our priority on (priority) one routes, and those are routes in Calgary that carry over 20,000 vehicles per day, so we’re concentrating on those major routes at the time,” Vescio said.  

Vescio advises motorists to drive slower, and to ensure that windshields and vehicle lights are clear of snow and ice.

RCMP in Saskatchewan said there were several snow-related accidents in that province as well.

Many Saskatchewan football fans are expected to hit the road to see their Roughriders play the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL West Final on Sunday. Police have advised against travelling until highway conditions improve.

With files from The Canadian Press