Auli Travel Guide

Auli is a high Himalayan meadow and ski area in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, about 14–16 km by road above Joshimath. Its slopes run from roughly 2,500 m to just over 3,000 m (about 8,200–10,000 ft) and face some of India's highest peaks, including Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Dronagiri and Kamet.

Most visitors come for two reasons: snow and skiing from January to early March, or green meadows, oak and deodar forest and clear mountain views in spring and autumn. Gorson Bugyal, Auli Artificial Lake and Chattrakund are the main walks, and Joshimath below has the historic Jyotirmath and Narsingh Temple.

Auli is a long journey from the plains – about 255 km of mountain road from Rishikesh to Joshimath – so plan at least 3 to 4 days including travel. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023, after land subsidence in Joshimath, and had not reopened when this guide was updated (October 2026). Auli is reached by road from Joshimath.

Long before skiing, Auli was a bugyal – the Garhwali word for a high alpine meadow – used by local herders for summer grazing, close to old trade routes towards Tibet through the Niti and Mana valleys.

Joshimath below has a much older history. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have established Jyotirmath here in the 8th century, one of the four principal maths he founded. Joshimath is also the winter seat of Badrinath: when Badrinath Dham closes for winter, worship of the Shankaracharya's seat continues at Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.

Auli's slopes were developed as a ski area by the state's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which still runs the resort facilities and winter ski courses. Mountaineers and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which has a presence in the area, have long used the snowfields for training. Auli hosted the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011 and has since hosted national winter games and skiing championships, including a National Skiing Championship and Winter Carnival in February 2026.

In January 2023, land subsidence in parts of Joshimath damaged buildings and led to the closure of the Joshimath–Auli ropeway, which had been one of the longest cable cars in Asia (about 4 km). Since then, Auli has been reached only by road.

Auli has a cold mountain climate. Winters (December to February) are freezing at night and snow falls mainly in January and February. Spring and early summer are cool and pleasant. The monsoon (late June to mid-September) is very wet – July and August get the heaviest rain – and landslides often block the road from Rishikesh. October and November are dry, clear and cold.

Snowfall varies a lot from year to year; in a poor snow year the ski season can be short. Check the forecast and road advisories before you travel.

Approximate conditions on the slopes (around 2,800 m). Joshimath, lower down, is a few degrees warmer.

December to February – snow and skiing

Days about 2–7°C, nights about −4 to −8°C. January and February get the most snow. Roads can close for a day or two after heavy snowfall.

March – late winter

Days about 7°C, nights below freezing. Snow usually remains on the upper slopes in early March in a good year.

April to June – spring and early summer

Days about 11–17°C, nights about 0–8°C. Snow melts from the meadows; clear mornings, good for walks to Gorson Bugyal.

July to mid-September – monsoon

Days about 16–17°C, with heavy rain on most days. Mountain views are often hidden and landslides frequently delay the Rishikesh–Joshimath road.

Late September to November – autumn

Days about 10–16°C, nights near or below freezing by November. The clearest skies of the year and the best time for Nanda Devi views.

There is no public transport within Auli. Use local taxis or shared jeeps between Joshimath and Auli; arrange your return with the driver, especially in winter when evenings are early and roads can be icy.

On the slopes, the GMVN chair lift links lower and upper slopes when it is running (operation depends on season, weather and maintenance). The meadows, Artificial Lake and Gorson Bugyal are reached on foot.

After heavy snowfall, the road above Joshimath may close until it is cleared; a 4x4 or chains may be needed.

Auli has no nightlife in the usual sense. Evenings are spent at your hotel or resort – bonfires (where permitted), a warm meal and stargazing on clear nights. It gets dark early, and in winter temperatures drop well below freezing after sunset.

• Return from the slopes and walks before dark; paths and roads are unlit and can be icy.
• Arrange your taxi back to Joshimath in advance if you are not staying in Auli.
• Joshimath has a few small eateries that stay open a little later, but most close early.

• Winter sports events (January–February): Auli hosts skiing championships and winter carnivals in good snow years – for example the National Skiing Championship and Winter Carnival in February 2026 – with alpine skiing, snowboarding and cultural programmes.
• Badrinath season (around April/May to November): Badrinath Dham, about 45 km beyond Joshimath, opens in late April or May and closes in November. Pilgrim traffic passes through Joshimath throughout the season.
• Winter worship at Narsingh Temple, Joshimath: when Badrinath closes, the Shankaracharya's seat is brought to Joshimath, and the temple becomes a winter pilgrimage stop.

Event dates change every year and depend on snow conditions. Check with Uttarakhand Tourism or GMVN before planning around an event.

• Upper ski slopes: wide views of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri and the surrounding peaks, best in the early morning.
• Auli Artificial Lake: built for snow-making; reflections of the peaks on clear days.
• Gorson Bugyal: a walk of about 3 km through oak and conifer forest to an open meadow with a 180-degree mountain view.
• Chattrakund: a small, quiet lake in the forest on the way to Gorson.
• Sunrise and sunset: October–November mornings have the clearest skies.

Snow glare is strong – use sunglasses and protect your camera from cold and condensation. This is a border-sensitive area: drones need permission, and do not photograph military or ITBP installations.

• Winter (December–March): thermal innerwear, a down or heavy padded jacket, waterproof gloves, woollen cap and socks, and waterproof boots with good grip.
• Spring and autumn: warm layers for cold mornings and nights, a windproof jacket and trekking shoes.
• Monsoon: rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and waterproof bags.
• All seasons: UV sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm (the sun is strong at altitude), personal medicines, a power bank and some cash.

Ski boots, skis and poles can be rented in Auli. Do not use alcohol to keep warm – it makes cold and altitude effects worse.

Joshimath has community and military-linked medical facilities under applicable access rules, but advanced care is far away. Altitude illness requires descent and urgent assessment.

For urgent care, use the nearest suitable emergency department rather than crossing the destination. Call ahead for planned appointments and carry identification, insurance information and a medicine list. This is travel-planning information, not medical advice.

• 112: unified emergency response.
• 100: police.
• 101: fire and rescue.
• 102/108: ambulance and emergency response.
• 1098: child helpline.

Use 112 when unsure and share a clear landmark and live location. Service availability can change.

Indicative daily costs per person, excluding travel to Joshimath (October 2026 planning ranges):

• Budget: about ₹2,500–₹5,000 (simple stay in Joshimath or a GMVN/budget room, local food, shared jeeps).
• Mid-range: about ₹6,000–₹11,000 (hotel in Auli, private taxi between Joshimath and Auli).
• Comfort: ₹12,000 and above (resort stay, private vehicle for the whole trip).

Skiing (extra):

• One-day beginner lesson with equipment: about ₹1,500–₹3,000.
• Ski equipment hire: about ₹550–₹1,500 per day.
• GMVN ski courses (January–March): 7-day and 14-day courses. GMVN's published 2023 fees were about ₹17,000 (7 days) and ₹34,000 (14 days) for general Indian participants, including meals, dormitory stay, equipment and lifts. Check GMVN for this season's fees.
• Chair lift: about ₹500 return, when running.

Prices change every season and rise around Christmas–New Year and on snow weekends.