Auli
Hilltop Trips India

State Uttarakhand Near by Places Rishikesh - 258 Km Joshimath Nanda Devi Rudraprayag Badrinath Dehradun Haridwar Best Time to visit Winter, for Skiing Elevation Auli - 9,500 and 10, 500 ft Rajju - 917 mts to 3027 mts Coordinates 30.557531, 79.612427 Auli Map

Photo by : madhavpj in webshots More Auli images ...

Auli in Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand), is a hill resort with a difference. While travellers make their way to most hill resorts in India in summer; Auli is a resort to which people travel in more in winter to experience the pleasure of skiing and other winter sports here.

Hill Resort | Elevation | Travel | Season | Visits | Accommodation | Location | Auli Map

The Hill Resort

Auli is considered the best skiing slope in Asia. Both sides of the slope are covered with oak and coniferous trees which break the speed of the wind and this makes it ideal for skiing. The skiing center was set up in Auli in 1984. The Uttar Pradesh State Government has a branch called Garhwal Mandal Corporation which runs this center. Professionally trained people have been employed for teaching. This spot was discovered by the Indian Army which was posted on the Tibetan border. The army has its own skiing center here.

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Skiing At Auli In the beatified flushes of nature, cloaked under the morning white layers of snow, the mistress of Ski and adventure Auli is subdued for its consummate slopes that lure out even the frigid hearts scared of Skiing. If you nurture some vast self losing sight of Auli you are wrong. Auli is just 5-7 Km in area, but since it is located way up between 9,500 and 10, 500 ft, it commands excellent views of the surrounding peaks which soar well over 23,000 ft. The air is cold here and fresh, scented with pine; the skies are stunning azure blue. The snow at Auli is powdery that also attracts hordes of crowd during winters. Auli is pretty miraculous and all the more alluring during the winters.

Another attraction here is a sight-seeing trip between Joshimath and Auli by a ropeway. This ropeway is 4 Km long one and is called the Rajju and is at a height of 1917 mts to 3027 mts above sea level. This is the longest and the second highest ropeway in Asia. Two passenger cabins are used in this. Each cabin can accommodate from 20 to 25 people. This whole trip passes through ten towers. On the eighth tower of the ropeway one can stop because this is where one gets off for skiing and looking in and around Auli. It takes about half an hour to complete this trip. This service operates from morning to evening.

Auli is a grazing land spread over 6 Km. In the local language they call this "Byugal". In summer, in the old days, the local villagers used to graze their cattle here. During monsoons thousands of different variety of flowers bloom here.

Activities

We know that skiing is your primary purpose to be here so we are going to talk about that first. You'll get some clean stretches of about 10 to 20 Km for skiing here. The woods on the slopes help reduce the wind velocity which makes the conditions for skiing even better for you'll enjoy the wind brushing against your cheeks while you ski down the slopes.

A 3.9 Km long cable car links Auli to Joshimath whereas the distance goes up to 16 Km if you feel comfortable travelling by the road. Another way of reaching Auli is by a 500 meters long chair lift which connects the upper and the lower slopes. The necessary equipments and snow beaters for skiing can be rented here and if you have any queries regarding the facilities, lodging and the packages then you should feel free to contact the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.

Apart from skiing you'd need some activities to enliven the evenings at Auli. There are huts and resorts at Auli that are warmed by Bukhari where you can relax. They can also choose to listen to the folk tales or Garhwali music by the campfire. You may not believe that the shopping buffs here can also enjoy themselves by buying shawls, blankets, woolen caps and many gift items.

Necessary Preparations

First things first, pack your bag with enough warm clothes before you leave for Auli. Another must is a first aid kit which can prove to be handy anywhere, not just in Auli. Other things that you should bring with yourself are torch, good snow boots, dark glasses and extra batteries.

Elevation

Auli - 9,500 and 10, 500 ft
Rajju - 917 mts to 3027 mts

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Location Details

Auli is located in the north eastern corner of Garhwal, towards the north eastern state of Uttaranchal. They can reach Joshimath at a distance of 16 Km from Auli. The slopes offer a panoramic view of many a famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. The government is trying a new spanking new cable cars rope way that traverses 4 Km up the hill from Joshimath, transporting you over the top of oak and fir trees to Auli. And when you swoop down the slopes, you don't have to worry about the trudge back up: the baby slopes have a 1,640-ft ski lift, and the advanced slopes have a 2, 620-gt chair lift to haul you up to the top.

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How to Reach There and Distances

By Air

The closest airport for Auli is at Dehradun, the capital of Uttaranchal. The airport is at a distance of 298 Km.

By Rail

The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, about 235 Km from Auli.

By Road

Frequent buses run for Auli from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Hardwar and Delhi, so road is a good option too. From Joshimath, one can also get to Auli by hired jeeps.

Best Season to Visit/Weather

Climate Max Min

Summer 13 deg C 9 deg C
Winter Below 0 deg C Below 0 deg C

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To visit Nearby Places

Right in front of Auli, is one of the highest peak, Nanda Devi. Along with it can be seen the Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains.

Wintery blooms at Auli

Forget another winter at the beach and head north instead. After a week on the slopes you will be confident enough to whiz down the mountains and execute a fancy parallel turn to halt. But those who fear height and are meek hearted Auli is not for them. All that you can do here is Ski. Watch Nanda-Devi and snow flakes floating gently will work as a balm to your wearied heart.

Practice Skiing

The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam offers 7 day certificate courses from January to March every year. You can hire instructor and trainers according to your choice and needs. Fee for the courses include boarding lodging ski-equipments, lift and training. Economy and regular categories will be accommodated at GMVN at Auli.

Snow for the Kids

Scenic View of AuliTake the kids along, bung a pair of skis onto their feet and watch them fly after the initial hesitation. Plus, there is snow castles to be built.

Joshimath

Joshimath is believed to have been wandered by Adi Shankaracharya. So when you go there check out Narsingh and Garuda temples, the Shankaracharya Math and also the Amar Kalph tree. Drive down to the hot seat of Tapovan, just 14 Kms away from Joshimath and 32 Kms from Auli.

Rudraprayag (162 Km)

It is difficult to imagine anything harder than tabby cat prowling around in the thin scrub covering the surrounding hills in Rudraprayag. What is still more breathtaking is the magnificence tough is the swirling confluence of Alaknanda rivers around which the town has grown. Koteshwara Mahadev Temple, Rudranath ji and Chamunda Devi mandirs, overlooking the confluence of two rivers at Rudrprayag is a must visit.

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Accommodation and Hotels at Auli

We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Auli.

There are not many hotels in Auli as the complete area is under GMVN which is the Garhwal Vikas Mandal Nigam. The state government has built a ski resort here with the capacity of 100 beds. Small hotels and wooden huts provide all basic amenities for the travelers with reasonable charges.

The Hotel Clifftop Club is the best option to stay though it may be more expensive than other lodgings. The hotel huge rooms, modern bathrooms, all basic amenities and is professionally managed.

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