Auli Travel Guide
India's most reliable ski slope, with a 4 km cable car from Joshimath and Nanda Devi in view.
- Altitude
- 2,800 m
- Best season
- Dec – Mar (ski) · year round
- From Dehradun
- 285 km
- Category
- Ski
Why visit Auli
- India's best-equipped ski destination — consistent natural snow from December to March
- Asia's one of the longest cable cars (gondola): ~4 km from Joshimath to Auli at 2,800 m
- Nanda Devi (7,816 m) and thirteen other snow peaks visible from the slopes — the finest skiing backdrop in the country
- GMVN and Garhwal Mandal ski courses run January–March, suitable for complete beginners
- Gorson Bugyal, a 3 km walk from Auli, is a green-meadow summit trek in spring and summer
Auli is India's best-established ski destination, with dependable winter snow, GMVN-run courses and Asia's one of the longest cable cars (about 4 km) linking it to Joshimath.
Outside winter it works as a green-meadow viewpoint for Nanda Devi and the Gorson Bugyal trek — a very different, quieter trip from the December–March ski season.
Explore around
Places near Auli
Winter base with hotels, connectivity and the cable car base station; Shankaracharya Math here
Gorson Bugyal3 km trek from AuliForested meadow at 3,056 m — green in summer, snow-covered in winter
Higher meadow with better Nanda Devi views; requires a fit day-hike
Easy to combine into one itinerary in the right season (summer)
Badrinath50 km from JoshimathOnly accessible May–November but close enough for a dedicated detour
What to do
Activities at Auli
Skiing
GMVN runs beginner and intermediate ski courses (7–14 days) from January to March, including equipment, instruction and accommodation at the GMVN Ski Resort at Auli. Private ski instructors and rental shops also operate independently.
Gorson Bugyal trek
A 3 km trail through oak and rhododendron forest leads to Gorson meadow with panoramic snow-peak views. Best done in May–June when the rhododendrons bloom.
Cable car ride
The Joshimath–Auli ropeway runs year-round (subject to weather) and is worth riding purely for the views — 13 towers, crossing deep gorges to arrive at the snowfield.
Snowboarding and snow activities
Snowboarding, snow scooters and snow cycling are available from private operators during the ski season. A small artificial pond at Auli is the highest man-made lake in Asia (used for snowmaking).
Book with us
Tours covering Auli
Before you go
Auli travel tips
- The GMVN ski course fills in December for January–February slots — register as early as October
- The road from Joshimath to Auli is open in winter but can be blocked after heavy snowfall — the cable car is the reliable alternative
- Auli has no market or shops — stock up on snacks, medicines and warm gear in Joshimath before ascending
- Altitude acclimatisation matters even at 2,800 m for plains visitors — spend a night in Joshimath before ascending to Auli
- Summer visits (May–June, September) are crowd-free and offer the Gorson Bugyal trek without ski crowds
Getting there
How to reach Auli
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (299 km). Drive via Rishikesh–Devprayag–Joshimath (~10 hrs).
Rishikesh (285 km) or Haridwar (310 km) are the nearest railheads.
Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath (285 km, 9–10 hrs). From Joshimath: cable car to Auli (preferred) or road (16 km, 1 hr, often icy in winter).
Where to stay in Auli
- GMVN Ski Resort at Auli — the main lodging option at the slopes; basic but functional with a dining hall
- Cliff Top Club Auli — private resort option for those wanting more comfort
- Joshimath has more hotel variety (Hotel Kamet, Snow Crest Inn) at lower altitude — popular with families who ride the cable car up for day skiing
Food & dining
- GMVN dining hall serves fixed veg/non-veg meals — standard but reliable at altitude
- A handful of small eateries in Auli serve Maggi, chai and basic meals in ski season; limited options outside winter
- Joshimath has dhabas, a bakery and local restaurants serving full meals year-round
Background
History of Auli
Auli was developed as a ski destination by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) in the 1970s, primarily to provide skiing facilities for the Indian Army's High Altitude Warfare School. Civilian skiing followed through the 1980s as the ropeway was built and equipment rental was made available to tourists.
The 2011 National Winter Games were held at Auli — a milestone that brought modern grooming equipment and drew national attention to the resort. Subsequent investments included artificial snow machines, ski lifts and the maintenance of the gondola that connects it to Joshimath.
Plan your trip
Suggested Auli itinerary
- Day 1Arrive Rishikesh or Haridwar. Drive toward Joshimath — halt at Devprayag or Rudraprayag if starting late.
- Day 2Reach Joshimath. Rest and acclimatise. Evening walk around Joshimath and visit to Narsingh Temple.
- Day 3Take cable car to Auli. Ski or snowboard (in winter) or walk to Gorson Bugyal (summer). Overnight at Auli or Joshimath.
- Day 4Second day at Auli slopes (ski/snowboard). Afternoon return to Joshimath. Depart or continue to Badrinath.
Common questions
Auli FAQ
- Do I need skiing experience to visit Auli?
- No — GMVN offers beginner courses starting from zero. The gentle gradient of the lower slopes is forgiving for first-timers.
- Is Auli worth visiting in summer?
- Yes — the Gorson Bugyal meadow trek and Nanda Devi views make it worthwhile in May–June. Crowds are lower, prices are cheaper and the landscape is very different.
- What is the snow guarantee at Auli?
- Natural snow is reliable from late December to February. Artificial snowmaking supplements thin-snow years. March can be variable — check conditions before booking.
Keep reading
Auli guides
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