Practical guide
Travel Tips for Auli
- Don't rely on the ropeway: it has been closed since January 2023; plan to go up by road from Joshimath.
- Break the journey: Rishikesh to Joshimath is a 9–11 hour mountain drive. Start early and avoid driving after dark.
- Check snow before booking a ski trip: snowfall varies a lot; mid-January to February is the safest window.
- Acclimatise: Auli is at 2,500–3,050 m. Take it easy on the first day, drink water, and descend if headache or breathlessness gets worse.
- Carry cash: card payment and ATMs are limited above Joshimath, and mobile networks can be patchy.
- Monsoon: keep a spare day for landslide delays and follow official road advisories.