Skiing in Auli

skiing in Auli

snow desert

view of Himalaya from Auli

The slopes of Auli lie between 9,500 and 10,500 ft in the Great Himalayan Range, near the border of Nanda Devi in Upper Garhwal. Auli is surrounded by many snow peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kamet, Neelkanth etc. It is 16 km South-East of Joshimath, 286 km North-East of Rishikesh, 492 km North-east of Delhi. The ideal time for skiing in Auli is between December and March, when Auli is covered with snow and temperature can fall below zero.

Auli is not large,the entire skiing area is about 5-7 km, but it has its advantages. It commands  excellent views of the surrounding peaks. The air is cold,fresh and scented with pine, the skies are blue. A cable car ropeway traverses 4km up the hill from Joshimath ,transporting you over the tops of oak and fir trees  to Auli.  When you swoop down the slopes, don’t have to worry about the trudge back up, the baby slopes have a 1,600 foot high ski lift, and the advanced slopes have a 2,620 foot high chair lift to haul you to the top.

There are other magical moments like watching the dawn break behind Nanda Devi, watching the sky open up its bounty at night and the snowflakes floating gently , soundlessly to earth.

Getting there:

The nearest rail station is Haridwar. Taxi to Joshimath costs Rs 4000 approx. During  snowfall, the ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is the only option pay Rs 500, in other seasons the 16 km stretch to Auli should be done only by a 4-wheel drive.

Accommodation:

1. GMVN Skiing and Tourist Resort (Tel: 223208, 223305; Tariff: Rs 1,500-2,000).

2. Hotel Kamet (Tel: 01389-222155; Tariff Rs 700-1,150).

3. Hotel Snow Crest  (Mobile: 09012226130, 09917581346; Tariff: Rs 1,750-2,520).

4. Hotel Dronagiri (Tel: 222221/54; Tariff: Rs 800-4,000).