Auli travel guide: skiing, views and how to reach

This Auli travel guide is for the traveller who wants snow, big Himalayan views and a real plan rather than a wish list. Auli sits in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, above the town of Joshimath, with ski slopes running roughly between 2,500 and 3,050 metres (8,200–10,000 feet). It is best known as India’s most developed ski meadow, and for wide views of Nanda Devi and Trishul.

Auli is a high-altitude ski and meadow destination in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, above Joshimath. The ski season runs January to March, GMVN and private schools run courses, and the nearest railhead is Rishikesh or Haridwar, about 270 km away by mountain road.

About Auli: quick facts for this Auli travel guide

Auli is a set of grassy slopes and conifer forest above Joshimath, on the road toward Badrinath. In summer it is open meadow; in winter, when it holds snow, it becomes India’s main lift-served ski area. The slopes face the Nanda Devi range, so on clear mornings you look straight at some of the highest peaks in the country.

The base of the ski area sits near 2,500 metres and the upper meadow, Gorson Bugyal, reaches around 3,050 metres. Because of that altitude, weather changes fast and afternoons can cloud over. Plan sightseeing and skiing for the morning.

Best time to visit and the ski season

There are two good windows. For snow and skiing, come January to March, when the slopes usually hold cover. According to GMVN, which runs the Auli ski resort, winter bookings for December through March were open for the 2025–26 season. Snow is never guaranteed on a fixed date, so track conditions before you commit.

For clear meadow walks and mountain views without deep snow, April to June and September to November are pleasant, with cold nights. The monsoon (July–August) brings landslip risk on the approach roads and is best avoided.

How to reach Auli

Auli is reached through Joshimath, and Joshimath is a long day’s drive up the Alaknanda valley. Distances below are road distances and are indicative planning estimates; reconfirm before you travel.

By air: The nearest airport is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant, roughly 270 km away by road (about 9–10 hours to Joshimath). From the airport you hire a taxi or reach Rishikesh and continue by shared jeep.

By train: The usable railheads are Rishikesh (about 270 km) and Haridwar (about 273 km). Haridwar has more long-distance trains; Rishikesh is nearer the hills. From either, shared or private vehicles run to Joshimath. Check live train status on IRCTC/NTES before booking.

By road: Buses and shared taxis run from Rishikesh to Joshimath via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Chamoli. Operators generally do not drive this stretch after dark, so start early. From Joshimath, taxis cover the last 10–13 km climb to Auli.

The Joshimath–Auli ropeway: current status

Auli is famous for the GMVN cable car from Joshimath, often described as one of Asia’s longest and highest gondola ropeways, about 4.15 km long. It is important to plan around a factual point: this ropeway has not been running normally.

According to the Pioneer (reporting in October 2023), the Joshimath–Auli ropeway was shut in January 2023 after land subsidence occurred near tower number one, and it was kept closed for public safety. Reopening was described as uncertain, pending scientific assessment of the damage. Do not assume the gondola is operating; reconfirm the current status with GMVN before you plan to use it, and keep a road-taxi backup for the Joshimath–Auli leg.

Things to see and do

Most visits mix a little skiing or snow play with short walks and viewpoints. Timings and any fees for lifts and activities change with the season and with the ropeway situation, so treat the notes below as planning guidance and confirm on the spot.

• Skiing and ski courses: The main draw in Jan–Mar. GMVN and private ski schools run beginner-to-advanced courses of several days, including gear hire. Book ahead in season.
• Gorson Bugyal: A high meadow above the slopes, around 3,050 m, reached on foot (roughly 3–4 km one way from upper Auli). Big open views of Nanda Devi and Trishul.
• Auli artificial lake: A man-made reservoir built to feed snow-making guns for the slopes; a short, easy stop with a viewpoint.
• Chattrakund: A small forest pond beyond Gorson, for those extending the meadow walk.
• Snow play and photography: The slopes and forest edges are the classic spots for Nanda Devi and Trishul at sunrise.

A suggested itinerary

A comfortable trip is three nights, allowing a buffer day for the long drive and for weather.

• Day 1: Rishikesh or Haridwar to Joshimath by road. Long day; arrive by evening, rest and acclimatise.
• Day 2: Drive up to Auli. Easy day near the slopes; short walk to the artificial lake; sunset views.
• Day 3: Ski lesson or snow play in the morning (in season); walk toward Gorson Bugyal if fit and acclimatised.
• Day 4: Return drive to Rishikesh/Haridwar. Start early.

If you are joining a multi-day ski course, add the course length to Days 2–3 and stay closer to the slopes.

Where to stay

You can stay up at Auli near the slopes or down in Joshimath and drive up daily. Auli is quieter and closer to skiing; Joshimath has more shops, food and transport. GMVN operates government accommodation in the area, which is worth checking first for value. Rates below are indicative planning bands and rise sharply in peak snow season; book well ahead for January–March.

Book government (GMVN) rooms and popular resorts early for the ski window, as beds are limited near the slopes.

Food to try

Food in Auli and Joshimath is simple Garhwali and North Indian fare, warming and filling for the cold.

• Aloo ke gutke (spiced sautéed potatoes with local seasoning) — a common Garhwali plate.
• Kafuli (a thick green curry of spinach and fenugreek) — hill comfort food.
• Bhatt ki churkani / chudkani (black soybean curry) — hearty and local.
• Mandua roti (flatbread of finger millet, called mandua/ragi) — nutty and warming.
• Hot chai and Maggi — the standard slope-side snack; carry cash for small stalls.

Budget breakdown

The figures below are a planning estimate for a 4-day trip, per person, for a couple sharing a room, travelling by shared/private road transport from Rishikesh. Skiing and gear hire are extra and vary by school. Treat these as indicative and reconfirm.

Permits and rules

Auli does not sit in an Inner Line Permit zone, so Indian and most foreign visitors do not need a special permit just to visit the ski meadow. If you extend to protected forest areas or high treks in the Nanda Devi Biosphere buffer, separate forest or trek permissions and registered guides may apply — check with the Uttarakhand forest department and local authorities. Ski courses and lift use are booked through GMVN or licensed schools rather than a permit system.

Follow local eco rules: carry your plastic out, do not litter the meadows, and stay on marked routes near the slopes.

Practical tips: altitude, roads and safety

Auli is high enough that altitude matters. Joshimath sits near 1,875–1,890 m and Auli’s slopes reach past 3,000 m, so climb gradually, drink water and rest on arrival before any hard activity. If you get a bad headache, nausea or breathlessness, descend to Joshimath and seek help.

• Roads: The Rishikesh–Joshimath highway is mountainous and prone to landslip in and after the monsoon. Start driving early; operators avoid this stretch after dark. Check road status before you set out.
• Joshimath context: Joshimath has experienced land subsidence — cracks widened sharply in January 2023, and by official accounts hundreds of houses were affected and many families relocated. The town remains inhabited and is the gateway to Auli, but building and hydro works have been scrutinised. Choose stable, established accommodation and follow local advisories.
• Money: Carry cash. ATMs are in Joshimath, not on the slopes, and UPI can be patchy at altitude; small stalls are cash-first.
• Network: Mobile signal is limited and drops on the drive and around the slopes.
• Health: The nearest hospital is in Joshimath; Auli itself has only basic facilities. Carry personal medicines.
• Solo women: Auli and Joshimath are generally calm; still, travel the long mountain leg in daylight and pre-book stays.
• Packing: In winter, layered thermals, a heavy waterproof jacket, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen (glare off snow is strong), waterproof boots. In other seasons, warm layers for cold nights.

Nearby places

Auli pairs naturally with other Chamoli and Garhwal destinations. Where we have detailed guides, they are linked. For a wider picture of the region’s cool-climate escapes, see our overview of the hill stations of Uttarakhand.

Frequently asked questions

Is Auli worth visiting?

Auli is worth visiting if you want India’s most developed ski slopes and open views of Nanda Devi and Trishul. It suits skiers, snow-play families and walkers. Set expectations around the long mountain drive and around lift and ropeway status, which you should reconfirm before the trip.

When is the best time to ski in Auli?

The best time to ski in Auli is January to March, when the slopes usually hold snow and GMVN and private ski schools run courses. Snow is never guaranteed on a fixed date, so check current conditions before booking. Outside this window, come for meadow walks and views rather than skiing.

Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway running?

Do not assume it is. The GMVN cable car was shut in January 2023 after subsidence near a tower in Joshimath, and reopening was reported as uncertain pending assessment. Reconfirm the current status with GMVN before you travel, and keep a road-taxi option for the Joshimath–Auli leg.

How do I reach Auli from Delhi?

From Delhi, most travellers reach Rishikesh or Haridwar first (train or overnight bus), then continue by shared or private vehicle to Joshimath, roughly 270 km of mountain road, and drive the final 10–13 km up to Auli. Fly into Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport to shorten the journey a little.

Do I need a permit to visit Auli?

No special permit is needed to visit the Auli ski meadow, which is not in an Inner Line Permit zone. If you extend into protected forest areas or high treks near the Nanda Devi Biosphere buffer, separate forest permissions and registered guides may apply, so check with the Uttarakhand forest department locally.

Is Auli safe given the Joshimath subsidence?

Auli’s slopes are above Joshimath and the ski area itself functions, but Joshimath town saw serious land subsidence from January 2023 that affected hundreds of houses. Travel is possible; choose established, stable accommodation, follow local advisories, and confirm road and ropeway status before you go.

Last updated and sources

Come to Auli if you want snow, ski lessons and Nanda Devi views; the January–March window is the reason to make the long drive. Plan a buffer day for weather and roads, and reconfirm lift and ropeway status first.

Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: The Pioneer / Pioneer Edge, “Nine months on, Auli ropeway remains closed” (Oct 2023); GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam), Auli destination and ski resort; Drishti IAS, “Joshimath Land Subsidence”; Holidify, “How to reach Auli”; Euttaranchal, “How to reach Auli”; Uttarakhand Tourism and IRCTC/NTES for live train status. Accessed September 2026.

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