Auli is India’s real ski resort – meadows at 2,500–3,050 m above Joshimath, reached by one of Asia’s longest ropeways, with the Nanda Devi wall filling the horizon and a winter season that actually delivers skiable snow from December to March. In summer it becomes the state’s most scenic meadow walk; in winter, its only place to learn to ski properly.
Quick facts
| Altitude | 2,500–3,050 m |
| From Delhi | ~500 km (12–14 hrs) |
| Best months | January–February (ski); April–June (meadows) |
| Ideal stay | 2–4 days |
| Known for | Skiing, the Joshimath ropeway, Nanda Devi views |
What to do
- Ski or snowboard – beginner slopes and courses run by GMVN and private operators (skiing guide).
- Ride the ropeway from Joshimath – the approach is half the experience.
- Walk the meadows – Gorson Bugyal’s ridge walks in summer; the Auli lake and viewpoints.
- Stare at Nanda Devi – on clear winter mornings the massif is the whole sky.
How to reach
Drive Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Joshimath (10–11 hrs), then ropeway or road up; the last stretch is steep and needs chains in snow. Haridwar/Dehradun are the railheads.
Best time and practicalities
January–March for snow and skiing (book stays and courses early), April–June for meadows. Monsoon is cloud and leeches; October gives clear post-monsoon views. Check snowfall odds and the snow-season guide.
