Skiing Capital of India · Chamoli Garhwal
Perched at an exhilarating elevation between 2,500 and 3,050 metres in the Chamoli district of Garhwal, Auli is celebrated across the globe as the premier skiing capital of India. Blanketed in crystalline powdery snow throughout the winter months, Auli offers slopes comparable to famous European alpine resorts, framed by some of the most dramatic mountain peaks on earth.
Auli’s crown jewel is its jaw-dropping vista of Nanda Devi (7,816m) — India’s second-highest summit — standing like an ethereal silver fortress against azure skies. Flanking Nanda Devi are the imposing sentinels of Kamet, Mana Parvat, Dunagiri, Hathi Parbat, and Trishul, offering a 360-degree amphitheater of snow-clad giants that leaves even seasoned mountaineers spellbound.
Connecting the pilgrim town of Joshimath to Auli is the legendary Auli Ropeway. Spanning 4.2 kilometres and rising nearly 1,000 vertical metres, this bi-cable aerial tramway is one of Asia’s longest and highest. Gliding silently above dense oak, pine, and deodar canopies with Himalayan eagles wheeling beneath your cabin is an experience of pure wonder.
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Auli is home to the world’s highest man-made artificial lake, engineered by the government to feed snow guns during winter championships. In spring and summer, the melting snow unveils radiant emerald bugyals (high-altitude alpine meadows), transforming Auli into an idyllic wonderland of wildflowers and grazing sheep.
Trek enthusiasts can follow the gently ascending ridge trail from Auli to Gorson Bugyal (3,056m), an expansive alpine meadow spanning several kilometers that offers jaw-dropping perspectives into the Rishi Ganga gorge and Nanda Devi Sanctuary. For an even more daring journey, the route continues past Chattarkund’s crystal-clear sweetwater pond onward to Kuari Pass.
Whether you are an adventurous skier carving fresh tracks across untamed powder, a photographer chasing golden dawn light over Himalayan ridges, or a couple seeking romantic alpine serenity, Auli stands as one of India’s most breathtaking high-altitude destinations.
Snow gives way to lush green alpine meadows blanketed in wildflowers. Perfect for trekking to Gorson Bugyal, camping under star-studded skies, and taking scenic cable car rides. Days are balmy and pleasant.
Auli receives moderate monsoon showers, causing the alpine meadows to turn incandescent green. Mountain roads from Rishikesh require monitoring for landslides, but nature lovers enjoy lush solitude.
The golden season for winter sports enthusiasts. Heavy snowfall blankets the slopes with 3–5 feet of powder snow. GMVN organizes ski courses, national championships take place, and the landscape is pure white magic.
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Learn to ski with certified instructors on gentle beginner slopes or carve through powder on advanced FIS-approved gradient runs.
Trek through whispering oak forests to expansive undulating pastures that look directly into the dramatic Nanda Devi Sanctuary.
Experience 22 minutes of pure wonder as the cable car ascends 1,000 vertical meters over pine canopies with Himalayan sentinels all around.
With zero light pollution and crisp high-altitude air, witness the Milky Way arching majestically over the snow-covered crown of Nanda Devi.
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Check Ropeway Timings: The Joshimath-Auli cable car generally operates between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. In heavy winds or snow, it may pause operations, so plan your transit with buffer time.
Rent Ski Gear on Site: GMVN and private certified instructors at Auli rent out complete ski kits, snowboards, boots, and goggles at nominal rates. Advance booking is recommended during January–February.
Snow Chains for Vehicles: If driving your own vehicle up the 14 km road from Joshimath to Auli after fresh snowfall, snow chains on tires are mandatory to prevent skidding.
Pack Sub-Zero Thermal Wear: Winter temperatures routinely drop to -8°C at night. Carry windproof jackets, thermal base layers, waterproof gloves, woolen caps, and high-SPF UV sunglasses for snow glare.
Cash & ATMs in Joshimath: Auli has no bank ATMs. Withdraw sufficient cash in Joshimath town before taking the ropeway up to the ski slopes.
Acclimatize Gradually: At nearly 3,000m altitude, drink plenty of water and avoid excessive exertion on your first day to prevent altitude mountain sickness.
Essential snow conditions, ski pass details, cable car info, and packing tips for visiting Auli.
Auli is not merely a winter vacation — it is an adrenaline-fueled rendezvous with the high Himalayas. Whether carving through untouched powder beneath the majestic silhouette of Nanda Devi, trekking along emerald ridges of Gorson Bugyal, or sipping steaming pahadi chai as pink twilight paints the peaks, Auli leaves an indelible mark on every traveler’s soul.
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