Basic Skiing Course at DMAS, Manali

harshad

Hi IMers

I am heading for Directorate of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports 9erstwhile WHMI, Manali) for a 15 days basic sking camp with my daughter .All the skiing equipment and some clothing would be provided by DMAS.

I do not want to carry excess items/clothing, nor i want to be without essentials at Solang Valley where temps. are expected to be sub-zero.Woudl appreciate experienced IMers to tell me what bare minimum items/essentials to be carried from Mumbai for this trip.

Regards,
Harshad

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harshad

I had read a lot about mountainering course at DMAS. Some of it is positive and a lot negative.

I have recently completed Basic Skiing Course at DMAS Manali (Solang Valley). It is a 15 days course (from reporting to despersal). Here is what I feel about it:-

- The arrangements at DMAS Manali are good but office and support staff needs little better training in dealing with trainees. Many a times their behaviour could have been better.

- The arrangements at Solang Valley are like a camp. Accomodation is dormetary type. If number of trainees are more, every bed is occupied, else one can have some breathing space.

- For the staff strenght at Solang, they are doing a very good job at the mess. Tea, food and eats are of simple type but the taste good when you are slogging for 7 hours a day.

- The cloths that are issued at Manali for skiing are okay. the top and bottom issued need urgent improvement / replacement, but the half coat and inners of sleeping bag are of good quality.

- Skiing equipment and sleeping bags/blankets issued at Solang are of good quality, if any of the item has a problem, they are either repaired or replaced.

- While the environment is not of boot camp (and the discipline thereof), they are very serious about training. The instructors are good, experienced and are capable to carry a mixed group along, where some trainees are ahead of others.

- There are some probblems though, not attributed to DMAS, like uncontrolled use of ski slope by Ski-doo's (snow Scooters) and sledges, no demarcation of the slope for use between tourists and skiers and lack of co-ordination between govt agencies resulting in unregulated business going around on and in the vicinity of the slope. Ski lift availablity for DMAS students is also limited to the time not suitable for basic skiing students (0800 to 1000 h and 1600 to 1800 h ) as the snow is very hard between 0800 - 0900 and 1700 to 1800.

- not withstanding few drawbacks mentioned above, the counduct of the course is professional, instructors are good and it is still a good institute at least to learn skiing. I cant comment on mountaineering as I have not done any such course there).

- So just go to DMAS, Manali if you have to learn basic skiing from qualified people.

himadventures

I have done SKIING courses from DMAS...I know you are right and have used very good words to express yourself.
I can not write like this...

good one !!

datspreets

I too dd this course at Solang.
Here are my comments -

1. Do this course if you are ready to live life the simple way for 15 odd days- simple means no frills attached - simple food,basic lodging,no Tv etc etc.

2. The arrangements are fairly good, but management needs to be improvised.

3. Instructors are very well qualified and no need to worry about this aspect as they will grill you thru the 15 days.

4. Preferably go with a partner for this course as it might be difficult for some to adjust with other tarinees and live in dormatories.

5. Another drawback is that with the Dmas registration and medical form,they do not give a detailed list of items to be taken & the one's that are not to be taken.

Akll in all the course is totally worth it !!

harshad

I have read quite a few of your posts. I found them very accurate and relevant. Comments comming form you on my small writeup is a honour for me. The purpose of the write up is to give objective assessment of the course and the facilities. Even if only one person stirs out of his abode to venture out and do this course, my efforts are paid for. And what better place to post the views but to do it on IM.

Thanks

harshad

Hi

I am replying to my own post. I sought this information before I went for Basic Skiing Course at Manali. Got no replies. But after the course I am in a reasonable position to list what needs to be carried. Here is the list

(a) Under Garments - As required (Recommended - 6 pairs, very little time or energy left at the end of the day to wash them).

(b) Thermal Inners - three pairs but two can also do (You sweat a lot but still dont smell, so two thermalwear sets can do).

(c) Woolen Sweater - at least one.

(d) Track Suits - Two, one in worst case. Two track suits should be better.

(e) Sports shoes / snikers - One good pair.

(f) Socks - at least 6 pairs ( for the reasons mentioned at para (a) above). Woolen socks are actually not needed, definately not with the Skiing shoes.

(g) Towel - One (thinner the better for drying, takes less space too).

(e) Woolen / Monkey Cap - One.

(f) Woolen Hand Golves - two pairs.

(g) Skiing Gloves - one pair (available at Manali market for Rs 150/-, North Face is a better company)

(h) Sun Glasses - one (Must Carry or buy ordinary one for about Rs 100 - 120 at Manali).

(i) SunScreen - Banana Boat SPF 50 worked the best for me, you can coose your own but must carry one or buy one at Manali

(j) Moisturiser / Petroleum Jelly - As required.

(k) Toiletories - As required.

(l) Personal Medication - As essential.

(m) Pain Relief Tube - I preferred Omni Gel, you carry what suits you.

(n) Skiing Mask - one if you can get it at Manali. If it costs anything above 100 Rs forget it and use sunscreen instead. I could not find one at Manali.

(o) Golf cap - one. When sun is up, woolen cap is of no use, but sun shade or golf cap can be used.

(p) Knee Cap / Crape Bandage - carry one or two, though may not be used at all.

(q) Eatables - as required. Between end of skiing to dinner you would need some munchies.

(r) Raincoat - may be one thin one.

(s) Walkman / Diskman - one, if you have, else you can pass time by meeting and talking to other course participents.

I think I have covered almost every thing. If any otherinput required all IMers can seek it on as required basis.

zzzehar

I feel bad that no one responded to your post in time. Anyways, thanks lot for the info. Even I was planning to go on the Jan 15th course but then plans changed at the last moment.
Could you also throw some light on the facilities provided by DMAS? You said you are going with a daughter - Did you get an independent room? How was the food? What else can you do? How are the trainers? How vigorous is the practice? After the course, Do you think you are confident enough to take the himlayas on ur own or suggest a thing or two abt Skiing? Like - What kind of snow you should Ski On? What precautions should be taken while going alone? What do to in emergency? What kind of injuries is one vulnerable to?

I have asked a lot of questions but I guess this would prepare me well for my trip - !! Thnk you very much. Also, I would like to be confident enough to buy my own skiing equipment and break a leg or two on my own. How to judge the area is good for skiing and wouldn't let me be a reason for the inspiration for the Vertical Limit 2?

harshad

Thnaks for your post. I have posted my impressions and other information at a independent thresd at India Travel Forum>Destinations>minor destinations>himachal pradesh>Basic Skiing COurse at DMAS Manali. If you see this post of mine few of your questions would be answered. As for accomodation is concerned, it is dorm type, But an option exists to stay in a hotel close by, 4 minutes by shortcut, and Pay to DMAS only for the course and Lunch or course and all meals etc.

After the course I am confident to wera my skies and come down a slope in controll ed manner. Basic course is all about control and not about speed. See http://www.halhigdon.com/beginningskier. But if you remain at it and do intermediate and advance course, you would be able to do every thing that you mentioned. But basic course is a step in that direction.

Hope that satisfies you. Nice to hear from you.

himadventures

Harshad !

You have done good job..when I did basic skiing-I added spare batteries with a headtorch.

I always carry ONE NOTEBOOK+PEN with me. Then cellphones were not in INDIA-but now you can use BSNL from near the end of slope.

harshad

Thanks for reviewing the list. You are right, torch, spare cells, candles and match boxes are must (I did carry them but forgot to mention). Power suppy does fail once in a while and on rare occasions it does not return for few days.

Also on cell phone front BSNL connectivity is in pockets. Here you are connected and one step the signal is zero. A new tower is expected to come up. But for now, Airtel was most reliable at Solang. The signal is available at full strength even in the rooms. In fact despite having aMTNL mob on roaming, I had to pickup a airtel SIM for the period of course.

A Notebook and a pen is must (well I am not the writing kind, I store everything in my electronic diary contained in my head) and so is a good analog or digital camera or a video camera.

Thanks Him for review, between both of us, we have made things simpler for people going for skiing course.

rzoster

Thanks a lot guys. This is certaily useful information. I'm planning to go there on the winter of 08' but it looks like they have only a 1 week course now instead of 2 weeks. Anyway, I'll mail them and confirm before getting there with less number of underwears

regards,
rajath