Auli – Hit The Spot And Ski!

Auli is a beautiful tourist spot which is famous for skiing all across the globe. This scenic place is perched at an elevation of 2800 m above sea level. It is known for its oak-edged slopes and verdant coniferous forests.

The history of Auli can be traced back to the 8th century. According to certain beliefs, Guru Adi Shankaracharya visited this sacred place. This place is also known as 'Bugyal', which means ‘meadow’ in the regional language.

While walking through the dewy slopes, tourists can enjoy stunning views of the Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat mountain ranges. Travellers can enjoy the views of apple orchards and lush deodar trees from the boulevards of the slopes.

Tourist Places In And Around Auli

Nandaprayag, a popular attraction of Auli, is situated at the meeting point of the River Alaknanda and Mandakini. Taking a dip at the confluence holds immense religious importance among the Hindus. This is a gateway to Badrinath and Kedarnath, where visitors can enjoy the beauty of snow-capped mountains.

The destination is famous for the Auli Artificial Lake, which has been especially developed by the government, to provide artificial snow to the new ski slopes during the months of low snowfall.

Tourists can also visit Bhavishya Badri, which is perched at an elevation of 2744 m above sea level. This place holds religious importance, as it is one of the five Badri shrines after Badrinath, Yog Dhyan Badri, Adi Badri, and Vridha Badri.

Gurso Bugyal is a beautiful spot which is adorned with greenery during the summer season. This spot is surrounded by verdant conifers and oak forests. Tourists can reach this place by ropeway from Joshimath.

There is a small water body known as Chattarkund Lake, located close to Gurso Bugyal. Travellers can also see a natural water spring and a temple in the Saildhar Tapovan, a small village close to Auli. Skiing can be enjoyed to its fullest on the snowy slopes of Auli.

These slopes are the best to enjoy Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, and Telemark Skiing. Auli has the highest and longest cable car in Asia that covers a distance of 4 km. The cable car known as Gondola is facilitated with a chair lift and a ski lift. The smoothness of the slopes is regularly maintained by snow-packing machines and snow beaters. Auli is also famous for trekking in the Himalayan region.

The Joshimath Trekking route is quite popular among tourists. Peaks like Kamet, Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Dunagiri can be seen while trekking in the various routes through this region. Trishul Peak is a popular tourist attraction of Auli, which is perched at an elevation of 7160 m above sea level.

This peak got its name from the trident of Hindu God Shiva. This is also a popular skiing spot and additionally, serves as the training ground for patrolling officers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. Tourists can also see Roopkund Lake located on the foothills of the peak.

How To Reach Auli

Travellers can easily reach Auli by air, rail and road. Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun and Haridwar Railway Station is the nearest airbase and railhead, respectively, to Auli. Buses are also available from nearby cities to Auli.

Best Time To Visit Auli

The summer season is considered as the best time to visit this destination, as the climate remains favourable.