Auli, Uttarakhand, India's Premier Ski Meadow
Uttarakhand

Auli

India's Premier Ski Meadow

Overview

Auli is a high-altitude meadow and ski resort in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India, at roughly 2,800 m. It is the country's foremost developed skiing destination, with views of Nanda Devi (India's second-highest peak), Mana Parvat, and the Hathi Ghodi Parvat massif. Reached via a chairlift / ropeway from Joshimath, it offers winter skiing and summer alpine-meadow walks. MyTripMyTravel operates Auli as a winter-snow or summer-meadow leg of the Garhwal circuit with paced acclimatisation.

Auli is India's most credible ski destination, a high oak-and-deodar meadow above Joshimath in the Garhwal Himalaya, with groomed slopes in winter and open alpine pasture in summer.

The view is the headline as much as the skiing: Nanda Devi rises directly opposite, with Mana Parvat and the surrounding 7,000-m peaks visible in a single sweep on a clear morning.

Auli is reached from Joshimath either by a longer mountain road or by the Asia-longest cable car / chairlift system, both part of the experience and both subject to weather.

MyTripMyTravel runs Auli as a paced winter-ski or summer-meadow extension of a Garhwal mission, with acclimatisation built in (the altitude is real) and weather-flexible itineraries.

At a glance

Auli in brief

State
Uttarakhand (Garhwal)
Altitude
≈ 2,800 m
Best known for
Skiing, Nanda Devi view, alpine meadow
Ideal stay
2 nights
From Rishikesh
≈ 270 km · 9 hrs
Via
Joshimath (chairlift / road)
Nearest airport
Dehradun (DED) / Delhi (DEL)
Signature
India's ski meadow

When to visit

January to March (ski) · April to June, September to November (meadow & views)

January to March is the skiing window, snow conditions and groomed slopes when the season delivers. April to June and September to November are the open-meadow and clearest-Nanda-Devi window. The monsoon (July to August) brings serious Garhwal landslide risk and is avoided. Winter outside the ski season can seal access. Plan to the purpose: snow or peak views.

Things to do

Experiences in Auli

Adventure

Auli ski slopes

Groomed slopes for beginners through intermediate, equipment and instruction arranged.

Nature

Nanda Devi view

Direct view of India's second-highest peak from the meadow, clearest on dry-window mornings.

Adventure

Auli to Gorson trek

An alpine-meadow walk in summer through oak and rhododendron.

Nature

Joshimath cable car

The chairlift / ropeway ride up, weather-dependent, an experience in itself.

Nature

Artificial lake & sunset point

The high reservoir and adjoining viewpoint for the evening light on the peaks.

Wellness

Pacing rest day

A deliberate acclimatisation day, the altitude is real.

Getting there

How to reach Auli

Road

Chauffeured leg from Rishikesh (~9 hrs) or Haridwar via Joshimath, a serious mountain day, paced.

Air

Dehradun (DED) is the practical airport with a long chauffeured climb; Delhi (DEL) is the major hub.

Private Fleet

Hill-capable, GPS-tracked vehicles for the Garhwal circuit and the Joshimath approach.

Rail

Haridwar / Rishikesh railheads, then the long onward chauffeured leg to Joshimath.

Where to stay

Slopeside / ridge tier

Resorts and rooms on the Auli meadow with direct Nanda Devi views.

Joshimath base tier

Quieter Joshimath properties, with chairlift access up to Auli.

Heritage tier

Garhwal heritage stays on the route for an unhurried climb.

Where to eat

Slopeside table

Meadow-side dining with peak views, suited to short-day winter pacing.

Garhwali mountain fare

Traditional Garhwali highland dishes at a curated mountain table.

Joshimath café

An escorted stop in the base town's long-running mountain kitchens.

Good to know

Auli, your questions

Where is the best skiing in India?

Auli, in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, is the country's foremost developed ski destination, groomed slopes, equipment, and instruction, with Nanda Devi as the backdrop.

Is Auli worth visiting outside ski season?

Yes, April to June and September to November give the clearest Nanda Devi views and the open alpine meadow, ideal for walks and photography.

How do I reach Auli?

Via Joshimath, which is reached by a long chauffeured leg from Rishikesh / Haridwar (~9 hours). From Joshimath, the chairlift / ropeway or road climbs up to Auli.

Is acclimatisation needed at Auli?

Yes, at ~2,800 m the altitude is real; we build in a paced approach and an acclimatisation rest day.

Plan with us

Design a private journey through Auli.

Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Auli and the wider Himalayan Peaks, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.

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