The National Navigation Awards Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills. The Bronze Award is aimed at people with no navigational experience, while the Silver Award builds on the Bronze level, and adds the skills required to navigate some distance from paths and tracks. White Marmotte offers both Bronze and Silver navigation courses in the Alps.
Both courses are two full days in length, and cover the entire syllabus as set out by NNAS. Assessment takes place at the end of day two. Certificates will be posted out as soon as possible after the course. Both courses will also cover skills relevant to trekking in the Alps.
In addition, our two-day NNAS courses count as external CPD for BASI.
The full syllabus is available on the NNAS website, but expect to cover:
The Silver Course builds on the skills of the Bronze level, and covers topics in more detail. For the full syllabus see the NNAS website:
Beyond the NNAS syllabus, both navigation courses cover specific skills relevant to trekking in the Alps. We will cover the differences in mapping and legislation, European footpath markings and gradings, alpine trekking hazards and alpine weather considerations.
Who is the course aimed at? The courses are aimed at both complete beginners (Bronze) as well as those with intermediate navigation skills (Silver). If you are not sure which would be most appropriate, please get in touch!
What do I need to bring? This post gives you a more complete list. In short, you’ll need an IGN 1:25 000 map, compass, pen and paper, plus kit for a one-day hike. We will also ask you to print some maps on A4 paper ahead of the course.
Do I need to have done the Bronze level before I can do the Silver Award? No, there is no requirement to take the Bronze level first. If you feel you already have the skills for this level, you are free to go straight to the Silver course.
Do I have to take the assessment? No! If you don’t want to take the assessment, you can simply come on the course. We can’t provide certificates to anyone who hasn’t taken the assessment, but the assessment is optional!
Is there a minimum number before a course is confirmed? For courses in Les Deux Alpes there is no minimum number. Since we live here, our expenses are lower for these courses. However, we do need a minimum of three people to run the Chamonix courses to ensure we cover our costs.
Additional Costs: The cost of the course will be €150 per person for the course only. It does not include accommodation (see below), food and transport costs. BASI ski or snowboard instructors wishing to use the course as a CPD point need to pay the BASI external CPD fee of £20.
Accommodation: There is no shortage of quality hotels and apartments in Les Deux Alpes during the summer months. The resort caters for anything from budget to luxury accommodation. However, if you are having trouble finding something suitable, please get in touch. Click here for accommodation recommendations in all our course venues.
Getting to Les Deux Alpes: The easiest way to get to Les Deux Alpes is by car. If flying, Lyon and Geneva airports offer a good selection of reasonably priced car hire options. Turin airport is also an option, but flights here are often fairly limited. Drive time from Lyon Airport is roughly 1hr45 and from Geneva Airport around 2hr45.
It is possible to take a shuttle bus from both Lyon and Geneva Airports to Grenoble Bus Staion. They run roughly hourly, and cost between €10-30. From Grenoble there is a very cheap local bus service to the resort. However, this service only runs once or twice a day. For more information, see https://www.transisere.fr .
If you are having difficulty organising transport please get in touch!
For further information, or to book onto the course, please contact us at bookings@whitemarmotte.com or use our online booking.