Skip to content

Winter Navigation

Level: Progression

Adapt map-and-compass navigation to snow-covered terrain, poor visibility and the additional decisions of winter.

Format
Workshop
Duration
1 day
Pathway
Winter
Group
Small-group workshop

£150 per person

Workshop Overview

Winter Navigation develops the precision and discipline needed when paths and landmarks disappear. The workshop uses suitable Cairngorm terrain to practice navigation techniques in winter, making use of contour interpretation, bearings, pacing, timing and relocation while considering how snow changes safe route choice. Navigation is kept connected to avalanche and terrain decisions rather than treated as a separate desk exercise.

Key Information

  • Based in Aviemore, Cairngorms. We choose the exact venue around conditions and the skills being practised.

  • Small-group workshop. (Max 4)

Who It's For

  • Competent summer navigators moving into winter.
  • Winter walkers who rely too heavily on visibility or GPS.
  • Mountaineers and trainee leaders seeking focused practice.

Skills Covered

  • Map setup and maintaining location in wind, snow and cold.
  • Bearings, pacing, timing and accurate feature selection.
  • Using slope aspect, gradient changes and contour shape.
  • Relocation and strategies for avoiding compounded errors.
  • Connecting navigation choices with avalanche terrain and escape options.

Pre-requisites

You should understand basic map orientation, contours and compass bearings and have enough winter experience to manage yourself outdoors for the day.

What to Bring

Winter boots compatible with your crampons; a mountaineering axe and crampons; waterproofs and insulating layers; spare gloves, hat and goggles; headtorch with spare power; food, warm drink and personal medication. Bring the specified map, compass and waterproof map protection.

We can provide a mountaineering axe, crampons and a helmet. If you have your own, please bring them with you.

You will need suitable winter mountaineering boots: B2-rated boots are our normal minimum, and we can provide B2 boots where needed.

Itinerary

The exact plan may adapt to weather, venue conditions and the group's experience. The stages below describe the intended focus.

Dates & Prices

£150 per person. Choose a confirmed date below, or register your interest while dates are being finalised.

Dates, prices and places for Winter Navigation
Dates Location Price per person Places Book
Sun 24 Jan 2027 Cairngorms · Aviemore £150 per person 4 places left Book now, Sun 24 Jan 2027

Tailored development built around you

Need a different date?

Ask about arranging Winter Navigation privately. Tell us your experience, priorities, group size and preferred dates so we can confirm a suitable format and quote.

View Bespoke Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Navigation FAQs

Will we definitely experience a whiteout?

No. We use the conditions available and choose exercises that develop useful poor-visibility skills without seeking unnecessary exposure.

How is winter navigation different?

Snow can hide paths and features, while wind and cold affect how you use equipment. We work on making an existing navigation routine more dependable in that setting.

Do I need to be an experienced navigator?

Basic map-and-compass skills and winter movement experience are expected. This is not a first introduction to either discipline.

Will a GPS do the navigation for me?

The workshop develops a dependable map-and-compass process. Electronic tools can support that, but the practical tasks focus on maintaining location and choosing appropriate terrain yourself.

Does the day include avalanche decisions?

Yes. Navigation choices are considered alongside snow and terrain hazards, including slope selection and escape options. It is not a substitute for broader avalanche learning.

Kit & Equipment FAQs

What if I do not have all the equipment?

Contact us before booking or buying kit. We will confirm what you need, what can be arranged and any hire charges for this workshop.

What happens if the weather changes?

We choose terrain around snow, wind, visibility and the avalanche forecast. Routes and exercises may change; we will discuss the arrangements if conditions prevent the intended activity.

Booking & Cancellation FAQs

Can I book one place?

Yes. Public courses and workshops are priced per person, so you can book an individual place and join others. Check the page prerequisites before booking; you do not need to provide a whole group yourself.

How do I book?

Choose the course or workshop, check the date and location, and follow Book now. Complete the requested participant information and payment steps. If you are unsure about suitability or need equipment advice, contact us before completing the booking.

How do I pay?

Bookings below £300, or made fewer than 42 days before the start, are payable in full. For bookings of £300 or more made at least 42 days before the start, a deposit option is available, with the balance due 30 days before the start. The booking page confirms the amount due when you book.

Are prices per person or for the whole group?

Public course and workshop prices are per person. Private delivery is quoted separately for the agreed format and group. Mountain Leader reassessment is priced according to the scope agreed after reviewing your report.

Can I cancel or move my booking?

Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy before booking. It explains the applicable notice periods, charges and options for moving a place. Contact us promptly if your circumstances change, giving your booking name and date.

What if I am ill or injured before the course?

Contact us as soon as you know you may be unable to attend. Changes, transfers and refunds are handled under the Booking & Cancellation Policy. Let us know before the day rather than arriving unsure whether you can take part.

What happens if LDM changes or cancels the event?

We will contact you to explain the change and the options available under our booking terms. Read the policy before booking, particularly before making separate travel or accommodation arrangements.

What happens if minimum numbers are not reached?

Public dates depend on sufficient bookings. If numbers affect your date, we will explain the situation and the options under our booking terms. The places shown online are availability, not a promise that minimum numbers have already been met.

The date is full. Can I join a waiting list?

Use Join the waiting list where it is shown, or contact us with the course and date. A waiting-list request is not a confirmed booking; we will contact you if a suitable place becomes available.

There are no dates listed. Can I register interest?

Yes. Use Register interest or contact us with the offering and your preferred dates. We can let you know about forthcoming public dates or discuss private delivery, subject to availability.

Can I use an existing voucher?

Yes. We will honour valid existing vouchers as the booking system changes. Contact us with the voucher details before paying so we can explain how to apply it.

Can I give my place to someone else?

Contact us before arranging a replacement. We need to check the booking terms, the other participant's suitability and their details before confirming whether a transfer is possible.

I have not received booking confirmation. What should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder, then contact us with the booking name, course and date. Please check with us before making a second payment so we can establish what happened.

Structured progression

Your next step

You will leave with a more precise winter navigation routine and stronger strategies for staying located in limited visibility.

  • Avalanche Awareness

    Pathway: Winter

    Level: Foundation

    Learn to use avalanche forecasts, terrain and real snow observations to make better winter route choices.

    A mountaineer with a shovel checks the snowpack on a winter slope
  • Winter Skills & Summits

    Pathway: Winter

    Level: Progression

    Develop winter-walking skills through bigger mountain journeys in the West Highlands.

    A walker in an orange jacket on a snowy ridge below a summit
  • WML Refresher

    Pathway: Leadership

    Refresh winter leadership judgement in the conditions where it has to work.

Reading to support your learning

Knowledge Hub

  • Preparing for Your Winter Skills or Mountaineering Course

    Pathway: Winter, , 9 min read

    Level: All levels

    Winter Courses with LDM - hints and tips, equipment, gear and recommendations for winter climbing and mountaineering.

    Resource type: Kit & Gear

  • LDM - Winter Round up 2022

    Pathway: Winter, , 3 min read

    Level: All levels

    Lake District Mountaineering have enjoyed a busy winter season - running skills courses, private guided days and taking lots of great people into the winter mountains.

    Resource type: Inspiration

    Four walkers with ice axes cross a snowy plateau below a corrie rim

Why choose Lake District Mountaineering?

  • Highly qualified instructors. MCI and WMCI qualified professionals.
  • Small groups, real attention. More time for coaching and feedback from your instructor.
  • Structured progression. Every course builds towards real independence in the mountains.
  • Real mountain environments. Trained on the fells of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.