Best Time to Visit Auli
Short answer:
- For snow and skiing: mid-January to February. The ski season runs from about January to early March, depending on snowfall.
- For clear Himalayan views and easy walks: October to November, when Nanda Devi, Dronagiri and Hathi Parvat are clearest.
- For green meadows and mild weather: April to June.
- Avoid if you can: July and August. Monsoon landslides make the Rishikesh–Joshimath road slow and unpredictable.
- Quietest and cheapest: March, September and early December.
- Month table
- Snow 2026–27
- December
- January
- February
- March–April
- May–June
- Monsoon
- October–November
- Best time for…
Auli weather month by month
Auli is a meadow and ski slope above Joshimath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at about 2,500–3,050 m (8,200–10,000 ft). The main slopes are around 2,800 m. Weather here changes fast. A clear morning can turn into snow or rain by afternoon, so use the table as a guide to what is normal, not a forecast.
| Month | Day / night | Wet days | Snow on slopes | Best for | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / −4°C | 4 | Likely | Snow, first ski lessons | Busy weekends, Republic Day |
| February | 6°C / −3°C | 6 | Most reliable | Skiing, ski courses, deep snow | Busy weekends |
| March | 11°C / 1°C | 7 | Early March, melting | Late skiing, quiet trips | Quiet |
| April | 15°C / 5°C | 4 | Peaks only | Snow-capped views, walks | Quiet |
| May | 17°C / 8°C | 6 | None | Meadows, Gorson Bugyal, Badrinath | Busy (holidays, yatra) |
| June | 19°C / 10°C | 8 | None | Escaping the heat, families | Busy until mid-June |
| July | 17°C / 11°C | 15 | None | Not recommended (landslides) | Very quiet |
| August | 17°C / 11°C | 15 | None | Not recommended (landslides) | Very quiet |
| September | 16°C / 9°C | 9 | None | Green slopes, low prices (late Sept) | Quiet |
| October | 16°C / 5°C | 3 | None | Clearest mountain views, photography | Moderate (festival holidays) |
| November | 11°C / 1°C | 1 | Rare dusting | Dry, clear, crisp days | Quiet |
| December | 7°C / −2°C | 2 | Possible, late month | Cold, clear days, holidays | Very busy 24 Dec–1 Jan |
The four seasons in Auli
Winter (December to February): snow season
This is when most people come, and the reason is snow. December is usually cold and clear, often with little snow on the slopes. The big snowfalls usually come in January, and February usually has the deepest, most dependable cover. Nights drop well below freezing. After heavy snow, the 14–16 km road from Joshimath can close for a day or two until it is cleared.
Late winter and spring (March to April): melting snow, quiet slopes
Snow lasts on the upper slopes into early March in a good year, then melts quickly. By April the meadows are brown turning green, the high peaks are still white, and there are very few visitors. Days are pleasant, but the weather can still turn wet.
Summer (May to June): green meadows and Badrinath season
Days are mild, at around 15–20°C, while the plains are at 40°C or more. The bugyals (high meadows) turn green, Gorson Bugyal is an easy walk, and Badrinath temple is open. Joshimath gets busy with yatra traffic, so book stays early for May and the first half of June.
Monsoon and autumn (July to November): rain first, then the clearest skies of the year
July and August are the wettest months. There are around 15 rain days a month at Joshimath, and landslides often block the highway for hours or days. From late September the rain stops, the air clears, and October to November gives the sharpest views of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Hathi Parvat, with almost no rain.
Snow and skiing season 2026–27
Where things stand (mid-October 2026): the 2026–27 ski season has not started yet. In a normal year, the first snow on the slopes comes in the second half of December or in January. We will update this section through the winter as snow arrives.
- When to plan a ski trip: mid-January to February. Skiing depends entirely on natural snowfall, so the season can be long in a good year or very short in a poor one.
- Recent seasons were mixed: in 2025 the national skiing championship planned for Auli was postponed in March because of poor snow. In 2025–26 the snow was better, and a four-day National Skiing Championship and Winter Carnival began at Auli on 13 February 2026. February is the most likely month for events like this.
- Ski courses: GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) announces its ski course dates and fees each winter, once there is enough snow. Private instructors also give one-day beginner lessons with equipment. See Auli Ski Slopes for what to expect.
- Getting up the slope: the Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023 after land subsidence in Joshimath. It was still not running in mid-2026, so plan to go up by road. The short GMVN chair lift on the slopes (about 800 m, around ₹500 return in recent seasons) runs only when weather and maintenance allow.
- If there is no snow when you go: you can still walk to Gorson Bugyal, see the peaks, visit Joshimath and the Narsingh temple, or join a winter Kuari Pass trek from villages near Joshimath. Keep your plan flexible and book stays that let you change dates.
Auli in December
Weather: cold and mostly dry, with days around 5–8°C and nights below freezing (−2°C on average, colder on clear nights). December gets only about two rain or snow days at Joshimath, so skies are usually blue.
Snow: possible, mostly in the second half of the month, but not guaranteed. In many years December snow is a light layer, not enough to ski on. If seeing snow is the main reason for your trip, January or February is a safer bet.
Crowds and prices: quiet in the first half. From around 24 December to 1 January, Christmas and New Year bring the biggest crowds of the year, the highest room rates and traffic on the Joshimath–Auli road. Book stays several weeks ahead for these dates.
Good to know: Badrinath temple is closed for winter by December. It usually closes in November, and the date is announced each year on Vijayadashami. Plan Auli on its own or with Joshimath. Carry thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a woollen cap, because evenings are very cold.
Auli in January
Weather: the coldest month. Days are around 2–6°C and nights around −4°C on average, falling to −8 to −10°C after fresh snow. Clear days are very bright, so carry sunglasses and sunscreen.
Snow: January usually brings the first heavy snowfalls, and the slopes turn fully white. Ski lessons and courses start once the snow is deep enough, usually from mid-January.
Roads: heavy snow can close the Joshimath–Auli road for a day or two. Keep one spare day in your plan, and use a local taxi with snow chains (or a 4x4) rather than driving a plains car up yourself. Check the latest road status in How to reach Auli before you leave.
Crowds: weekdays are calm. Weekends, and the Republic Day long weekend around 26 January, are busy.
Auli in February
Weather: still cold, with days around 3–7°C and nights around −3°C, but with slightly longer, sunnier days than January.
Snow: in most years this is the most reliable month for deep snow and skiing. Ski championships and winter carnivals, when they happen, are usually held in February.
Who it suits: first-time skiers, families who want guaranteed snow play, and anyone booking a GMVN ski course. It is the best single month for a snow trip to Auli.
Auli in March and April
March: days of 8–11°C. Snow stays on the upper slopes in early March in a good year, and skiing can continue into the first week or two. March also has more wet days (around 7) than winter, so expect some rain or late snow. It is very quiet and good value.
April: days of 12–15°C and nights just above freezing. There is no snow on the slopes, but the peaks are still white and clear mornings are common. It is a peaceful time for walks to Gorson Bugyal and Chattrakund. Badrinath usually opens in late April or May.
Auli in May and June
Weather: pleasant days of 15–20°C and cool nights (8–10°C). Carry a light jacket.
What to do: walk across the green slopes, go up to Gorson Bugyal and Kwani Bugyal, see Auli Artificial Lake, and combine the trip with Badrinath (about 60 km away by road).
Crowds: school holidays and the Char Dham yatra make May and early June busy around Joshimath. Pre-monsoon showers start in late June.
Auli in July, August and September (monsoon)
July and August: the wettest months, with about 15 rain days each at Joshimath. Clouds often hide the peaks, and landslides on the Rishikesh–Joshimath highway (NH-7) can stop traffic for hours or days. We don't recommend a trip in these months unless you are combining it with the Valley of Flowers or Hemkund Sahib (both via Govindghat beyond Joshimath, usually open June to October) and you have flexible dates.
September: rain eases through the month, and the slopes are at their greenest. Late September is quiet, with lower room rates and the first clear days of autumn.
If you do travel in monsoon: start each road day early, avoid driving after dark, keep two spare days, and check road updates from the Chamoli district administration before leaving Rishikesh.
Auli in October and November
Weather: dry and clear. October days are around 14–16°C, and November days 9–11°C, with nights near or just below freezing. November is the driest month of the year.
Why go: this is the best time for views. Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Hathi Parvat are usually sharp from sunrise, and it is a good time for photography and short treks. There is no snow for skiing yet.
Crowds: moderate during the Durga Puja and Diwali holidays, otherwise quiet. Badrinath is still open until its winter closing in November, so this is the last window to visit both on one trip.
Best time to visit Auli for…
- Seeing snow: mid-January to February. In December snow is possible but not reliable.
- Skiing and ski courses: mid-January to early March, depending on snowfall. February is the safest month.
- Honeymoon: January to February for snow, or October to November for clear views and fewer crowds.
- Families with children or elderly parents: April to June or October, when the cold is mild and the roads are dry.
- Trekking (Gorson Bugyal, Kuari Pass): April to June and September to November. Winter Kuari Pass treks in snow run in December to March with guided groups.
- Photography and mountain views: October to November, and clear mornings in December and January.
- Combining with Badrinath: May to June or late September to the November closing.
- A budget trip: March, April, late September and the first half of December.
Plan the rest of your Auli trip
Once you have picked your dates, see how to reach Auli (for example Delhi to Auli, about 510 km by road), the places to visit in Auli, a day-by-day Auli itinerary, and the full Auli travel guide for packing, budget and safety tips.