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Auli Ski Resort is in the state Uttaranchal, situated in the northeastern corner of India, bordering with China and Nepal. The Himalayan region is an awe inspiring area, not known for its skiing. The first time anyone skied in the Auli area was as long ago as 1958, when an expedition took four days to climb the nearby 23,458-foot peak of Trishul, before skiing down it in only 90 minutes. Nowadays, the ski lifts at Auli make reaching the top of the slopes somewhat easier.

Auli Ski Resort is one of India’s prime skiing resorts, though when compared to European and American ski resorts, it is very basic. But what Auli ski resort lacks in amenities it makes up for in sheer, awesome natural beauty. It is situated at 8,200 feet and is surrounded by Himalayan peaks, dwarfed by the majestic 23,000 feet plus Nandi Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamet mountains.

The ski runs are fairly limited; there is a 2,624-foot long chairlift and a 1,640-foot long ski lift (the longest ski lift in the country, which was imported from France). There are two main ski areas: the upper and lower fields, which are kept in good condition by two ski-beaters imported from Germany.

Auli ski resort does not have much in the way of accommodation; there is a small hotel and a few log huts. The nearest town to Auli ski resort is Joshimath, where there are some simple hotels and guesthouses.

The Indian National Winter Games are held at Auli every February or March. In nearby Joshimath you can visit the temple built by the 8th-century guru Adi Shankaracharya; the Narsingh and Garuda temples are also worth a visit.

The ski season at Auli resort is relatively short, running from mid-December to March. Auli is far more isolated than other major global resorts. Getting there can be quite a journey, but it can also be half the fun. The nearest railway station is at Haridwar, 142 miles away, while the nearest airport is near Dehradun, 174 miles away.

Skiing in Auli

As far as large, modern ski resorts go, Auli is tiny and skiing at Auli is relatively restricted. Despite this, it is probably the finest ski resort in India and host to the Indian National Winter Games every year. Due to the relatively small amount of skiing available at Auli and the difficulty in getting here, it is not ideal for visitors wanting to take a two-week skiing holiday. It is more suited to travellers to India who are powder freaks and can’t go without snow or for those who want to do something a bit different in India. Modern ski equipment is available to rent for those who do not want to lug their equipment around India.

Despite being located in the remote Himalayas, Auli ski resort has a 2,624-foot chairlift and a 1,640-foot button lift imported all the way from France. These ski lifts cover the pistes on the upper and lower snowfields of Gorson Top, located above Auli resort.

There are 1.8 miles of skiing piste that drop 1,640 feet. The piste is maintained by two snow beaters imported from Germany that keep it up to a standard that would rival many European pistes. The nearby vast slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon offer some great off-piste powder and cross-country skiing, with some awe-inspiring views of the mighty Himalayas. Unlike in much of Europe, here you will not find hordes of other skiers and it is easy to get out into some stunning isolated wilderness. For the really adventurous, there are ski tours on the glaciers of Garwhal and Kumaon; these can be done at anytime of the year.

There is very little nightlife or entertainment at either Auli or Joshimath. The major night time activities consist of sitting round a bukhari (wood burning stove), chatting or playing acoustic music. This is not a place for night owls seeking throbbing après ski nightlife.

Auli does not have the amenities of other major ski resorts, but it is set in a truly stunning natural wilderness and has a quaint charm of its own. It is the finest ski resort in India and one of the only places in the Himalayas where it is relatively easy to ski.

The best time for skiing at Auli is from December to March. The easiest way to get here is by plane to Dehradun or train to Haridwar, and then a bus to Joshimath.

Transportation to Auli

Auli’s location in the Himalayas, in the northeastern corner of India, bordering Nepal and China, makes transportation to Auli relatively difficult and if you do not have your own transport getting here will involve a coach or bus journey of at least 124 miles from the nearest railway station or airport. It is much harder to reach than most major resorts in Europe or America, which makes it less than ideal for skiers who just want to jet off for a two-week skiing holiday.

Travelling to Auli ski resort by road from Delhi is a 300-mile journey. The best way to get to Auli by car from Delhi is to follow the NH-47 to Haridwar (142 miles or a 5 or 6-hour drive), then take the winding mountain road through Rishikesh, Srinagar, Karnaprayag and Chamoli until you reach Joshimath. This is a 160-mile journey that takes between 13 and 15 hours. Rishikesh is a good place to stay overnight to break up the journey; there are also other guesthouses along the way. On arriving at Joshimath, you can drive the 10 miles to Auli resort along a road which is often closed, or take the cable car. The cable car has 25-person gondolas, runs for 2.5 miles and takes about 15 minutes. It is the highest and longest cable car in India and it offers some magnificent views of the Himalayas.

There is no direct railway transportation to Auli; the nearest railway station is at Haridwar. To get there from Delhi, take the Shatabdi Express, from Calcutta take the Howrah-Doon Express, from Bombay take the Bandra-Dehradun Express and from Lucknow take the Gorakhanath-Doon Express. A bus service runs the 172 miles between Haridwar and Joshimath. From Joshimath you can either take a jeep or the cable car to Auli resort, the latter being the recommended and quicker route.

The nearest international airport to Auli resort is at New Delhi. Indira Gandhi International Airport is served by many major international airlines. From there you can either catch a train or a bus to Auli ski resort or you can catch an internal flight to the nearest regional airport. Jolly Grant Airport, located just outside the town of Dehradun, is a 185-mile public bus ride from Auli.

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