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Auli

Auli

hill station · Uttarakhand

India's winter skiing destination, with panoramic views of Nanda Devi and snow slopes.

State
Uttarakhand
Type
Hill Station
Best season
Winter
Things to do
4+

India's winter skiing destination, with panoramic views of Nanda Devi and snow slopes. Auli is a high-altitude hill station at an elevation of roughly 2,909 metres in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Flanked by coniferous and oak forests, it has some of the highest and longest ski slopes in Asia.

Why visit

Skiing runs January to March and the season is short and unreliable — there is a man-made lake here purely to make snow in the years it does not fall. The cable car up from Joshimath is about four kilometres and worth riding in any month.

How to reach

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun (280 km). Drive up to Joshimath via NH58. From Joshimath, visitors can either drive up the 16 km mountain road or take the famous 4 km passenger ropeway.

Auli in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Auli

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

JoshimathDay 1

Day 1

Joshimath

The town sixteen kilometres below Auli, and the winter seat of the Badrinath deity. It is also subsiding — cracks in buildings forced evacuations in recent years, so check what is open before booking a room here.

Day 1

Skiing or snow play (winter)

Skiing or snow play (winter)

Auli Artificial Lake

Day 1

Auli Artificial Lake

A reservoir built purely to feed snow cannons in the years the natural snow fails, which is often. One of the highest artificial lakes anywhere, half a kilometre from the slopes.

Day 1

Nanda Devi sunset views

Nanda Devi sunset views

Gorson BugyalDay 2

Day 2

Gorson Bugyal

A high meadow three kilometres above the ski slopes, and the standard acclimatisation walk from Auli. Under snow January to March; grass and a long view of Nanda Devi the rest of the year.

Kwani Bugyal

Day 2

Kwani Bugyal

A higher, emptier meadow beyond Gorson, twelve kilometres out and a full day there and back. Nothing on the way, so carry water and food.

Joshimath

Day 2

Joshimath

The town sixteen kilometres below Auli, and the winter seat of the Badrinath deity. It is also subsiding — cracks in buildings forced evacuations in recent years, so check what is open before booking a room here.

Auli guide & itineraries

Auli is perfect for

adventurenaturecouples

What & where to eat

Maggi

Auli slopes

Maggi

Hot snacks at the slopes

momos with a view

Auli slopes

momos with a view

Hot snacks at the slopes

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate

Warming drinks in the cold

chai

chai

Warming drinks in the cold

Garhwali thali

Garhwali thali

Local mountain meal

Phaanu

Phaanu

Lentil-based Garhwali specialities

Chainsoo

Chainsoo

Lentil-based Garhwali specialities

Aloo ke Gutke

Aloo ke Gutke

Spiced Garhwali potatoes

Nearby getaways

Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers

seasonal

Things to do

How to spend your time in Auli.

Skiing & snowboarding

Skiing & snowboarding

One of India's best ski slopes in winter

Auli ropeway (cable car)

Auli ropeway (cable car)

One of Asia's longest cable cars, from Joshimath

Nanda Devi & Trishul views

Nanda Devi & Trishul views

Sweeping Himalayan panoramas

Popular attractions

The places in Auli most people come for.

Joshimath

Joshimath

Attraction

Gorson Bugyal

Gorson Bugyal

Attraction

Kwani Bugyal

Kwani Bugyal

Attraction

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

Best time for skiing in Auli?

January to March for snow; April-June and September-November for meadows and clear views.

How do I reach Auli?

Via Joshimath, then the ropeway or a short drive; nearest railhead is Rishikesh/Haridwar and airport Dehradun.

Been to Auli?

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