Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure

Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure ❄️⛷️

Experience the Magic of Winter in Uttarakhand with Sonakshi Travels

🌨️ Into the Arms of a Snow-Covered Dream

There’s something incredibly pure about snow. It softens the sharpest edges, silences the loudest thoughts, and invites your soul to dance. My Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure wasn’t just about skiing down the powdery Himalayan slopes — it was a journey into silence, joy, adrenaline, and awe.

Auli, perched like a jewel in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, is India’s hidden winter wonderland. Known as the “Skiing Capital of India,” it’s where snow meets serenity, and every turn brings a postcard view. But for me, it was more than scenery — it was a story unfolding in white.

📍 Where is Auli?

Auli is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, just above the spiritual town of Joshimath.

It’s a destination that blends adventure sports, panoramic Himalayan views, spiritual landmarks, and local Garhwali hospitality, making it a winter travel experience that lingers in the heart long after the snow melts.

🗺️ How to Reach Auli

✈️ Nearest Airport:

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (280 km from Auli)

🚆 Nearest Railway Station:

Haridwar / Rishikesh — 260–270 km (from there, travel by road)

🚗 Road Route:

From Haridwar/Rishikesh, it takes approx. 8–10 hours to reach Joshimath, followed by:

  • Cable car ride (ropeway) – 4 km (world’s longest ropeway after Gulmarg) 🚡

  • OR a 14 km scenic drive up to Auli

🚙 Sonakshi Travels offers private cars with experienced drivers and optional overnight halts.

🎿 First Snow, First Slide: My Skiing Adventure Begins

I’ll never forget the thrill of my first fall in Auli. That soft, cold embrace of snow as I fumbled with skis on the beginner slope — clumsy, laughing, and completely alive.

Auli’s snowfields, groomed by professionals, are perfect for both beginners and seasoned skiers. The high slopes and favorable gradient, combined with certified instructors, make skiing here both safe and exhilarating.

🏞️ Places to Visit in and Around Auli

1. Auli Ski Resort and Slopes ⛷️

Managed by GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam), the resort offers rental equipment and guided lessons. Slopes are categorized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails.

2. Gurso Bugyal 🌲

A 3 km trek from Auli Ropeway station leads to this meadow offering stunning views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Dron Parvat. In winter, it’s a field of glittering white.

3. Auli Artificial Lake

One of the world’s highest man-made lakes, it reflects snow-covered peaks like a mirror and supplies water for snow cannons.

4. Joshimath Town 🛕

Just 14 km away, this ancient town is the winter seat of Lord Badrinath and home to Adi Shankaracharya Math.

5. Chattrakund Lake & Kwani Bugyal

Offbeat, short treks for those wanting to experience Himalayan silence and unfiltered skies.

🎉 Winter Events & Snow Festival

January to March is not just ski season — it’s celebration time!

  • ❄️ Auli Snow Festival: Cultural dances, Garhwali cuisine, ski races, snowman-building contests

  • 🏆 National Skiing Championships (January)

  • 🎤 Local music performances and winter fairs

These events offer a cultural experience layered with the thrill of snow sports.

🥘 Local Cuisine & Hospitality

There’s something magical about having hot food in a cold climate. After a long ski session, I sat with a bowl of Aloo ke Gutke and Mandua Roti, listening to my host narrate tales of snowfall from years past.

🍛 Must-Try Dishes:

  • Chainsoo – Roasted urad dal curry

  • Kafuli – Green spinach gravy with rice

  • Gahat (Kulthi) Soup – Nutritious and warming

  • Jhangora Kheer – Sweet millet pudding

🌿 Most of these meals are made from local, organic mountain produce and served with heartwarming smiles.

🏨 Where to Stay in Auli

🛌 Accommodation Options:

  • Ski Resorts – With in-house instructors and snow access

  • Luxury Eco-Hotels – With valley views, bonfire nights, and local hospitality

  • Budget Guesthouses in Joshimath – A great option for trekkers and families

  • Government GMVN Huts – Affordable and well-located

❄️ Sonakshi Travels pre-books accommodations as per your group size, preference, and weather forecasts.

🧣 What to Pack for Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure

  • Thermal wear, woolens, gloves, mufflers 🧤

  • Ski jackets and waterproof pants

  • Sunglasses & sunscreen (yes, you’ll need both!) 😎

  • Lip balm, moisturizer, and first aid

  • Trekking shoes or snow boots

  • Flashlight, battery bank, ID proofs

🎿 Ski gear is available for rent at Auli Ski Center.

💡 Tips for First-Time Visitors

  • Reach Auli before 4 PM in winter — roads get slippery at night

  • Ropeway is a scenic and safe option during snowfall

  • Take a day to acclimatize, especially if arriving from the plains

  • Hire certified instructors only

  • Stay hydrated and avoid heavy food before skiing

📍 Distances from Major Places

Location Distance to Auli Mode
Haridwar 275 km Road
Rishikesh 260 km Road
Joshimath 14 km Ropeway/Car
Badrinath 60 km Road (seasonal)
Gwaldam 135 km Road

🧭 Extend Your Auli Trip With Nearby Destinations

🛕 Badrinath Temple

Open in summer, but beautiful to view even from a distance in winter.

🌸 Valley of Flowers (Seasonal)

Visit in monsoon for alpine meadows bursting with color.

🏕️ Tapovan & Satopanth

For trekkers seeking glacier views and high-altitude spirituality.

🛶 Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag

Riverside towns rich in mythology and scenic beauty.

📸 My Favorite Moments in Auli

  • Sitting on a wooden bench at sunrise, watching Nanda Devi bathe in golden light

  • Laughing through my first ski tumble, surrounded by cheering kids

  • Drinking hot chai while snowflakes landed silently on my shawl

  • Listening to the wind whistle through pines under a starlit sky

📆 Best Time to Visit Auli

  • Skiing Season: Mid-December to March ❄️

  • Trekking & Sightseeing: April to June 🌤️

  • Autumn Serenity: October to November

Avoid July–August due to heavy rains and road blockages.

📢 Why Choose Sonakshi Travels for Your Auli Trip?

✔️ Personalized packages from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun
✔️ Private cabs, ropeway passes, and ski training bookings
✔️ Accommodation choices across luxury, budget, and eco-lodges
✔️ Certified instructors for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding
✔️ 24/7 on-ground support and emergency response
✔️ Cultural add-ons like village visits and Garhwali cuisine workshops

We don’t just plan — we curate adventures that touch the soul.

📞 Contact Sonakshi Travels Today

📱 WhatsApp: +91 7980469744
💬 Reach out now and plan your winter escape to Auli — before the snow melts and your chance slips away.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, honeymooning couple, corporate team, or thrill-seeking family — Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure with Sonakshi Travels promises memories etched in snow.

✨ Where Snow Becomes a Story

Auli isn’t just a winter destination — it’s a feeling. It’s about standing still in a world of white and letting your inner child play. It’s about learning new skills, making fresh friendships, and watching the world slow down.

If your heart’s been craving snowflakes, silence, or that joyful rush of speeding downhill — let the Auli Skiing & Snow Adventure be your next journey.

🌨️ Slide into joy. Fall into adventure. Rise with wonder.
Book today with Sonakshi Travels — where your journey begins before your feet even touch the snow.