Auli
Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India • 30.52°N, 79.56°E
📖 About Auli
- ✦At 3,015 metres (9,892 ft), Auli gets January lows of -12.5°C (9.5°F) with reliable snowfall
- ✦India's longest cable car ropeway spans 4 kilometres connecting Joshimath to Auli slopes
- ✦Ski season runs December to March with rental equipment and certified ski instructors available
- ✦Road from Joshimath involves 13 hairpin bends with closures during heavy July-August monsoon rains
The ski slopes here stretch across 3 kilometres of groomed runs between 2,500 and 3,049 metres, with clear views of Nanda Devi (7,816m) and Mana Parvat (7,272m) on clear mornings. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) runs ski courses from January to March when snow depth reaches 2-3 metres, while the cable car operates year-round except during monsoon maintenance breaks. Temperatures stay sub-zero from November to February - January averages -12.5°C to 9.9°C (9.5°F to 49.8°F) - making this one of India's few places with consistent winter snow cover.
The slopes were developed in the 1980s by the Uttarakhand government to create an alternative to expensive Himalayan ski destinations abroad, with infrastructure built by the Indo-French team that also worked on Gulmarg. The Indian Army's High Altitude Warfare School runs winter training programmes here, sharing facilities with civilian skiers during the peak January-February season. Beyond skiing, the chairlift to Gorson Bugyal meadow at 3,050 metres operates from April onwards when snow melts reveal alpine flowers across the grasslands.
Serious skiers and first-timers taking GMVN's week-long courses make up most winter visitors, while May to October brings trekkers heading to Valley of Flowers (40 km) and Hemkund Sahib (42 km). The altitude means headaches and breathlessness affect many visitors in the first 24 hours, and the limited number of guesthouses and hotels (around 20-25 properties total) means advance booking becomes essential for December-January weekends.
🎯 Things to Do in Auli
The main ski runs cover 3 kilometres with beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes between 2,500 and 3,049 metres elevation. GMVN offers 7-day and 14-day certified courses from January to March with equipment rental at Rs 500-800 per day and instructor fees around Rs 1,500-2,000 per session (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Book courses 2-3 months ahead as the limited batch size of 15-20 students fills quickly for January-February peak season.
The 4-kilometre ropeway from Joshimath to Auli takes 25 minutes covering 500 metres of elevation gain with views of Nanda Devi and Kamet peaks. Return tickets cost around Rs 1,000-1,200 per person with operating hours from 8 AM to 5 PM (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The cable car shuts for annual maintenance during heavy monsoon weeks in July-August and during strong winds, so check locally before planning your visit.
The chairlift climbs 1.8 kilometres from Auli to Gorson meadow at 3,050 metres, or walk the 3-kilometre trail in 45-60 minutes. The meadow spreads across 5 square kilometres with views of Trishul (7,120m) and Dronagiri (7,066m) peaks on clear days. April to June shows alpine flowers while winter brings deep snow cover making the trail difficult without guides.
The lake sits 4 kilometres from Auli base at 3,300 metres elevation with a moderate 2-hour uphill trek through oak and deodar forest. The trail gets muddy during monsoon months (June to September with 90-223 mm monthly rainfall) and stays snow-covered December to March. Carry water and snacks as no facilities exist at the lake, which remains frozen January through March.
Located 13 kilometres downhill from Auli, Joshimath serves as the winter seat of Lord Badrinath with Narsingh Temple and Shankaracharya Math drawing pilgrims year-round. The town has the last ATMs, medical facilities, and grocery shops before Auli - stock up here as Auli has limited supplies. The main market area has land subsidence issues with several buildings developing cracks since 2023, so avoid staying in the affected Lower Bazaar zone.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -12.5 | 9.9 | 37 | 52% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -12.2 | 11.5 | 42 | 56% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -9.6 | 15.2 | 50 | 60% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | -3.3 | 17.9 | 42 | 55% |
| May | 🌤️ | 1.2 | 20.7 | 68 | 59% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 4.6 | 22.1 | 90 | 68% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 8.8 | 21.0 | 223 | 87% |
| Aug | 🌦️ | 9.0 | 19.2 | 183 | 90% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 5.8 | 18.9 | 108 | 82% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | -0.8 | 17.0 | 28 | 63% |
| Nov | 🧊 | -5.4 | 14.1 | 6 | 47% |
| Dec | 🧊 | -10.3 | 12.4 | 12 | 40% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Chamoli region, not exclusively Auli. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Auli
💡 Visitor Tips
Temperatures drop to -12.5°C to -10.3°C (9.5°F to 13.5°F) minimum from December to February, so pack thermal innerwear, down jacket, woollen gloves, insulated boots, and lip balm for the dry cold at 3,015 metres elevation.
Book GMVN ski courses and cable car accommodations 60-90 days ahead for December-February peak season as only 20-25 properties operate in Auli with total capacity under 500 beds.
The 13-kilometre Joshimath-Auli road has steep hairpin bends that get icy in winter and washed out during July-August monsoon - hire a local driver familiar with the route or take the cable car instead.
The last ATMs are in Joshimath 13 kilometres downhill, and mobile connectivity (BSNL, Jio) works unreliably in Auli with frequent signal drops - carry sufficient cash for 2-3 days as most small shops and dhabas do not accept UPI or cards.
Most hotels cluster near the GMVN ski resort and cable car arrival point with budget rooms from Rs 1,200-2,000 and mid-range options from Rs 3,000-6,000 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
📍 More Places in Chamoli
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Auli
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Auli covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Auli is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 3015 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.