Auli
Short Descr
Auli in Himachal Pradesh, 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.
Long Descr
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.
Contact us for Customized tour
Skiing At Auli In the beatified flushes of nature, cloaked under the moaning 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.
Elevation
Auli - 9,500 and 10, 500 ft
Rajju - 917 mts to 3027 mts
Location Details
Auli is located in the north eastern corner of Garhwal, towards the north eastern state of Uttaranchal. You can fetch 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.
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°C 9°C
Winter Below 0°C Below 0 °C
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.