Auli

2–3 daysBest: Dec–MarCold#skiing#snow#views

India's most reliable ski slopes

Why this weekend?

Ski slopesCable car from JoshimathNanda Devi views

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Ropeway & meadow
- Arrive (Rishikesh 270 km / 8 h)
- Ropeway up + meadow walk
- Sunset over the peaks
Day 2 · Ski or summit views
- Winter: ski lessons on the slope. Summer: Chattrakund + bugyal trails
- Evening at Joshimath's Narsingh temple
Day 3 · Out
- Tapovan hot springs on the way, head down

Geography & terrain

Auli is a high alpine meadow at 2,500–3,050 m in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalaya, above Joshimath — with the Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dronagiri massifs walling the skyline. The 3 km ski slope drops from the chairlift top to the meadow floor.

History & culture

A GMVN ski resort since the 1980s — the Indian Army's ski-training ground and the venue of the national championships. The ropeway (opened 2005, 4 km, India's longest cable car) made the meadow a tourist mainstay.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,200–3,000/night

Mid-range

₹3,000–6,500/night

Comfort

₹6,500+/night

Things to do

The ropeway
Ski slopes
Nanda Devi panorama
Kwani bugyal
Joshimath town

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹7,000–14,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,200–6,500/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹1,000–1,400

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Dec–Mar
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The ropeway top is 3,050 m — altitude caution for first-timers
Winter: full ski gear — the slope is real snow, not plastic
The last ropeway down is 5 pm — mind the schedule

Frequently asked questions

When does Auli get snow?

December–March is the ski season; the best powder is January–February. Summer (Apr–Jun) is the green-meadow season.

Is Auli good for beginners?

Yes — the main slope is famously beginner-friendly, with instructors and equipment from GMVN.

How do I get there?

Drive from Rishikesh (270 km) or Haridwar rail head; the ropeway from Joshimath is the entry.