Auli is nestled in the lap of snow-capped peaks of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, near the world famous religious shrine of Badrinath. At an altitude of 2,500 to 3,050 m above sea level, Auli’s well-dressed slopes are flanked by coniferous and oak forests, which offer a panoramic view of mountains.

 

If you are out for adventure, fun and frolic this winter, find yourself in Auli, in the vicinity of the mountain peaks Nanda Devi and Mana Parbat.

Feel the rush of air on your face, blaze a defiant trail as you go skiing on the well-dressed snow slopes. Or pelt each other with snow-balls on a blanket of snow. And if you’re a lover of natural splendour let your eyes feast on the breathtaking view of snow-capped peaks all around you.

16 km from Joshimath and accessible by a good motor able road, is the ideal ski resort of Auli with its slopes comparable to the best in the world. The resort is run by GMVN, which, apart from providing accommodation also provides all facilities for skiing. The season extends from January to March, during this time skiing festivals and the National Championships are held. The Auli slopes, descending from 3049 to 2915 m are flanked by stately conifers and oaks, which cut wind velocity to the minimum. Adding to the thrill of skiing is a 180 degree view of Himalayan peaks, which include Nanda Devi (7817 m), Kamet (7756 m), Mana Parvat (7273 m) and Dunagiri (7066 m), seemingly only snowballs throw away.

The conditions for skiing are perfect at Auli. A 500 m long ski-lift and an 800 m long chair-lift link the upper and lower slopes, and snow beaters and snow-packing machines maintain the smoothness of the slopes. Skiers can enjoy almost 20 km of virgin slopes, which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and down-hill skiing events.

Auli has now become a leading tourist spot. While its slopes beckon daring and gallant skiing enthusiasts, its pristine natural beauty and its alpine atmosphere lure many tourists. A haven for those who want to escape the humdrum of everyday life, conquer their fear of heights, savour nature in its purest form or just throw snowballs at each other.

Tourists are advised to bring woollen clothings, cap, socks, dark glasses, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, wind-proof jacket, gum / snow boots and a torch light. These accessories are a must for the tourist keeping in mind the weather conditions at Auli where the temperatures drop to as low as -8° C in winters although it is moderately cold in the summers.

The tourists who are interested in skiing may bring the equipment of their choice with them. Ski equipments, on hire, are also available.

The thrill of skiing over snow covered terrain remains unparalleled. As the element are defeated and unimaginable distances traversed, exhilaration swells up. In skiing the use of only the simplest form of implements serve to add to the adventure.
Ski consists of long, narrow and flexible runners with curved front ends turned up and pointed. To aid the process of acceleration and balancing, a pair of poles with leather strips on the top and sharp metal tips at the bottom are used to prevent the skier from sinking. With these elementary implements, the skier triumphs over steep gradients and often charts new paths.

Auli is not only the battle-ground for experienced skiers, who come here armed with their skiing equipment, it is also a training ground for those aspiring to ski skillfully with the help of expert guidance.

Training Courses in Skiing:

Training courses are conducted in modules of 7 and 14 days. Training is imparted to the enrolled persons in modern skiing techniques by qualified instructors from Skiing and Tourist Resorts, Auli and Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg.

The 7 days course is non-certificate course with a total of 25 seats. These courses are conducted in January, February and March.

The 14 days module is a certificate course, each of having 15 seats.

Season : End December to March

Equipment : GMVN provides modern ski equipments. Participants are advised to bring heavy woolen clothings like caps, socks, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, trousers, wind proof jackets, dark glasses, gum / snow boots and a torch for personal use.