Shortly before my second year of college, I received a few orientation and mobility lessons for learning how to navigate with low vision and a blindness cane. These lessons were helpful for learning general travel skills, but I noticed they didn’t get into specifics about navigating college campuses or using university resources available for students with vision loss. One lesson that would have been really helpful is how to walk in the snow, so I’ve created the College O&M series to share my most-used tips and strategies for learning about this topic and others. Here are my tips for snowstorms and walking in the snow with a blindness cane, from a student with low vision who doesn’t encounter snow frequently on campus.
Disclaimer
I am not a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), and I strongly recommended working with a COMS from the state department for visual impairment or vocational rehabilitation to determine the appropriate mobility solution for individuals. The tips and strategies shared throughout this post are informed by my lived experiences using a blindness cane (white cane) on my college campus.
Why it can be harder to navigate campus in the snow
Snow completely changes the way I navigate my college campus with low vision and a blindness cane, and not just because snow and ice can create glare or make it harder to navigate low-contrast environments. Familiar landmarks can disappear or become harder to recognize, cane tips can get caught in debris or other obstacles, and snow can muffle the sounds of traffic and footsteps so it is more challenging to pick up on auditory cues. This is on top of other issues that can arise from snow accumulation, such as:
- Sidewalks and routes that are suddenly closed or rerouted due to snow or ice
- Snowbanks blocking curb ramps or crosswalks
- Bus stops and pickup points being pushed further away than usual
- Buildings only having one reliably cleared entrance
- Tactile landmarks like grass lines, curbs, and sidewalk edges are often covered
- Traffic and environmental sounds may be quieter or distorted
- Familiar routes can disappear overnight
Because of this, winter travel on campus often requires students to plan for different routes, extended travel time, or use other strategies for navigating adverse or hazardous conditions. This is especially true for students who don’t have much experience walking in the snow, or for colleges located in areas that don’t get much snow. Helpful adjustments include:
- Using constant contact more consistently for surface preview
- Slowing down cane rhythm to allow time for feedback
- Probing snowbanks deliberately to locate landmarks underneath
- Pausing when the cane sticks instead of pushing through
Snow increases the cognitive load of travel, so it’s normal for trips to take longer. I used to think that I was doing something wrong because it took me so long to navigate places, but one of my professors reminded me that I was doing everything right; I was being safe and intentional about traveling in adverse conditions.
What cane should I use in the snow?
The best blindness cane tip for navigating snow is the tip that helps a person with a visual impairment navigate safely and independently in adverse weather. Some examples of popular choices for cane tips that can be used in snow or icy conditions along with the constant contact technique include:
- Marshmallow tips are helpful for light snow because they have a larger surface area and help create a path. However, they can get stuck in deeper snow or drifts.
- Rolling ball tips tend to move more easily over uneven, snowy surfaces. They tend to perform better in deeper snow or rough conditions because they roll instead of dragging.
- Dakota disk tips are designed specifically for rough terrain and snow and are a great option for students who live in areas with heavy snowfall.
Some of my friends have slip-on cane tips so they can easily switch out cane tips in their dorm or when transitioning between indoor or outdoor environments. Personally, I bring two canes with me and fold one cane in my backpack; one for navigating the snow, and another designed for navigating indoor environments, as I have trouble changing cane tips quickly.
Related links
- Ambutech Dakota tip on MaxiAids
- Decoding The Tips of Blindness Canes
- Five Questions To Ask When Buying A Blindness Cane
Get food in advance
One of my most valuable tips for students navigating the snow with a blindness cane is to limit trips outside as much as possible, which includes getting food in advance before it snows to limit dining hall trips. It’s worth noting that in extreme weather, many colleges will distribute food to students if they can’t go outside, though it’s better to be prepared and get food ahead of time. Before a snowstorm, I would bring reusable containers to the dining hall to grab no-reheat items or easy meals that I could keep in my mini fridge.
Related links
Recognize that snow may muffle sounds
I didn’t realize when I first walked outside in the snow that sounds might be muffled due to the snow, and that it might be harder to hear cars that are coming. One of the most valuable tips I received from a friend who also has low vision is to avoid wearing earmuffs or things that cover the ears, as this can limit hearing even more, and instead to opt for wearing a warm beanie or another type of hat. I also would take extra time at intersections or crossings to make sure that it was safe to cross.
Dress for the snow
Besides making sure that the ears are not completely blocked off, there are other ways that people can dress warmly when using a blindness cane in the snow. This can include:
- Layered clothing for temperature regulation
- Boots with reliable traction
- Sunglasses or glare‑reducing lenses to manage snow reflection
- Gloves that still allow meaningful cane grip
Many people modify gloves (fingerless styles, slits, or mobility‑specific mittens) so they can maintain tactile control while staying warm, which is a common O&M adaptation. I mention this in my post about staying warm with a blindness cane linked below.
Related links
- Staying Warm With a Blindness Cane
- Wearing Tinted Glasses for Low Vision
- Walking In The Rain: College O&M
Use a human guide
Snow travel on campus can be exhausting and unpredictable. When I can, I travel with a human guide, especially if disability transportation services or campus buses are suspended due to inclement weather (which is typically the case if there is snow on the ground). A human guide can alert me to potential hazards that my cane might not detect, help locate entrances or crossings buried in snow, or just reduce the mental/cognitive load of winter travel.
While I can also use visual assistance apps like Aira or Be My Eyes, I don’t like using these in the snow because it is challenging to use them hands-free (especially since I don’t have smart glasses or another hands-free camera option). For this reason, I prefer to use human guides in the snow so that I still have one free hand. Technology is meant to provide context, clarification, and/or reduces cognitive load when navigating in complex environments; it is not a replacement for orientation and mobility skills, and some students may not find it particularly useful for any of these tasks when walking in the snow.
Related links
- How To Be An Effective Human Guide For People With Vision Loss
- How Do People With Visual Impairments Guide Each Other?
- Using Disability Transportation Services In College
Talk to the university about alternative routes to buildings
Some landmarks are more reliable than others in snow, and it helps to identify landmarks before sidewalks and grass lines disappear/become hidden by snow. On many campuses, examples of landmarks can include:
- Accessible pedestrian signals
- Bus stops with shelters
- Main entrances that are consistently shoveled
- Service roads or emergency routes that get plowed first
For students that are unsure about how to navigate campus in the snow, Disability Services or other students with visual impairments can be a great resource. Examples of questions to ask include:
- Which sidewalks or areas are prioritized for plowing?
- Are there recommended winter routes between major buildings?
- Which entrances and/or crossings remain accessible during snow or inclement weather?
Related links
- Building Identification: College O&M
- Navigating Campus Construction: College O&M
- Smartphone Apps For Orientation and Mobility
Tips for planning snow routes
For winter travel, it helps to identify primary and backup routes between my dorm, dining hall, main classroom buildings, and accessible transit spots for when I have to go somewhere. This includes noting landmarks that can still be recognized even in snow, such as a pole, covered building entrance, sheltered pickup areas, or other campus signs.
While my cane is my primary tool for navigation, assistive technology can be used to add context or clarification for routes. Even though I mentioned not using technology when walking with a human guide, I still identify and practice routes using tools like Google Maps or Aira to navigate college campuses, especially since I can get real-time location updates; my college is an Aira Access location so I can use the service free of charge. (Disclaimer: I previously received free Aira service through a now-defunct program for college students in 2018/2019 and spoke at an Aira-sponsored event in 2018).
Another helpful tool I have used for route planning is what3words, which is a free application that allows users to find, save, and share precise locations (geocodes); this can be integrated with several GPS applications, as well as make it easier to remember addresses. While users currently cannot type What3Words names into Google Maps directly, address information can be accessed in the What3Words application and copy/pasted into the desired GPS application.
Related links
- Accessible Maps and Wayfinding Tools For Low Vision
- Smartphone Apps For Orientation and Mobility
- Using GPS Apps On College Campuses: College O&M
Check that the dorm is secure
Since students who live on campus will likely be trapped in their dorms anyway, it helps to make sure that the dorm is properly secured for severe weather or other potential emergencies. For me, this includes:
- Checking that windows are completely closed
- Securing valuable items in plastic containers in case of flooding or burst pipes
- Making sure that the sink is turned on to keep the pipes from freezing, if relevant
- Having a backpack or duffel bag within easy reach in case the dorm has to be evacuated
- Locating a flashlight or other items in case the power goes out
I hang my winter coat on a hook next to my canes and student ID lanyard, so I can quickly grab these items before walking out the door.
Related links
- Dorms and Campus Housing: College O&M
- Tips For Keeping A Dorm Room Clean With Chronic Illness
- Dorm Room Disability Hacks For Chronically Ill Students
Attend classes remotely, if not used to snow
Most of my classes end up being canceled if there is snow outside, but for the few classes that are not canceled, I typically ask my professors if I can attend class remotely since it is not safe for me to travel to class by myself, especially for night classes. For students who are more comfortable with navigating snow, I recommend using a human guide to get to class or requesting disability transportation services when available.
Related links
- Options For Attending College Classes Remotely
- Using Disability Transportation Services In College
- How I Take Notes During Video Lectures With Low Vision
More tips for navigating snow on college campuses with a blindness cane
- At my college, online classes are still held even if campus is closed due to inclement weather. Learn more about taking online classes in college in Must-Have Tech Skills For Online Classes
- Students can typically request orientation and mobility lessons (O&M lessons) during the winter so they can practice navigating snowy environments alongside a COMS, if they live in an area that gets a lot of snow. Since everything shuts down when it snows near my college, this was not a practical option for me, but I didn’t want to go to a college that gets a lot of snow anyway. Learn more about choosing a college in Ten Questions to Ask When Choosing a College
- Some virtual tours will include images of campus in the snow, which can help students preview campus environments in advance. Learn more in Touring Colleges With Virtual Reality
Published December 14, 2019. Updated January 2026