Auli, Uttarakhand

About Auli

Auli is a ridge-top meadow above Joshimath, cut through with coniferous and oak forest, best known for its skiing slopes and one of the widest close-up views of Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat and the Gorson Bugyal ranges in Uttarakhand. A cable car (India's longest, run by GMVN) connects Joshimath town to Auli in about 20 minutes.

Unlike Chopta or Kedarkantha, Auli doesn't require trekking to reach — the cable car and a motorable road both go up — which makes it accessible for travellers who want mountain views without a trek, alongside a genuine ski season for those who do want more.

Why Visit Auli

• India's most established ski destination, with a season roughly late December to March
• Gorson Bugyal meadow — a short, gentle walk from Auli, popular for camping
• Close-up views of Nanda Devi (India's second-highest peak) on clear days
• The Joshimath–Auli cable car itself is a scenic ride worth doing even without skiing plans

Best Time to Visit Auli

How to Reach Auli

Delhi to Auli

~500 km via Rishikesh–Devprayag–Joshimath (10–12 hours by road). An overnight halt in Rudraprayag or Karnaprayag is common.

Dehradun to Auli

~275 km via Rishikesh, Devprayag and Joshimath (8–9 hours by road) to Joshimath, then the cable car or a further short drive up to Auli.

Things to Do in Auli

Ride the Joshimath–Auli cable car, walk to Gorson Bugyal, ski or try tobogganing in season, and visit the artificial lake used for snowmaking (also a pleasant walk in summer).

Auli Weather

Winters are cold with regular snowfall (often sub-zero at night); summers are mild and green with daytime temperatures around 10–20°C.

Auli Trip Cost

We're building out a dedicated Auli trip page — WhatsApp us for current pricing and season-specific options (skiing vs. meadow-walk itineraries).

Where to Stay

A small cluster of hotels and GMVN guesthouses at Auli itself; a much wider range of budget-to-mid stays is available down in Joshimath.

What to Pack

• Heavy winter layers for Dec–Mar (sub-zero nights)
• Waterproof, insulated footwear in snow season
• Sunglasses and sunscreen — snow glare is intense at altitude
• Light layers only for the Apr–Jun window

FAQs

Do I need to trek to reach Auli? +

No — a cable car from Joshimath and a motorable road both reach Auli directly.

When can I actually ski at Auli? +

Roughly late December through March, weather-dependent; GMVN runs the ski facility and equipment rental.

Is Auli worth visiting outside ski season? +

Yes — the Gorson Bugyal meadow walk and Nanda Devi views are excellent April–June and September–November too.