Auli Skiing 2025 ” India's Best Ski Resort Complete Guide

I took my first group to Auli in January 2020. None of them had ever skied. By Day 3 they were all going down the main slope without falling — not gracefully, but going. That is the thing about Auli that people underestimate. The learning curve here is genuinely manageable. Here is what you actually need to know before you go.

Why Auli is India's Best Ski Destination

Auli sits at 2,500 to 3,050 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas with a north-facing aspect that holds snow well from December through March. The main ski slope is 2.5 km long with a vertical drop of 500 metres. That may not sound huge compared to Swiss or Austrian resorts but it is substantial for a beginner or intermediate skier — enough variety to spend 3 to 4 days on without repeating the same run.

What separates Auli from every other skiing location in India is the view. Behind the slopes, close enough to feel enormous, are Nanda Devi at 7,816 metres and Mana Peak, Kamet and the Dunagiri range. On a clear February morning when the light is at the right angle, the mountains behind you as you ski down are legitimately one of the most dramatic landscapes I have ever seen. I have been to ski resorts in Himachal Pradesh and none of them have this backdrop.

The gondola — Asia's longest cable car at 4 km connecting Joshimath to Auli — is also part of the experience. The 20-minute ride above dense oak and rhododendron forest with Himalayan peaks appearing as you rise above the treeline is worth doing even if you are not there to ski. The gondola runs year-round and is one of the highlights of any Auli trip.

Skiing at Auli — What to Expect as a Complete Beginner

If you have never skied before, Auli is one of the better places in Asia to learn. GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam), the government tourism body, runs the ski operations at Auli and provides certified instructors for beginners. The beginner slopes are well-separated from the main slope so you are not in the way of more confident skiers.

A typical beginner progression at Auli looks like this: Day 1 morning is snowplough basics on a flat area — learning to stop and steer. Day 1 afternoon introduces the very gentle beginner slope. Day 2 you move to a slightly steeper section. By Day 3 most people who are applying themselves properly can ski down the intermediate slope without falling on every run. It is not fast progress compared to a full ski school in Europe but it is real progress.

What makes Auli easier than many resorts for beginners is the relatively low crowding. In January and February the slopes have several hundred skiers at most. Compared to European resorts where beginners are navigating hundreds of people at speed, Auli is calm. Your instructor can give you attention and you have space to fall and recover without being in anyone's way.

Full Auli Ski Package — What is Included

Our 5-day Auli Ski and Snow package from Haridwar costs Rs 8,499 per person and includes all transport from Haridwar to Joshimath and Auli by road, 4 nights accommodation at Auli resort, all meals from arrival to departure, gondola tickets both ways on your arrival and departure days, ski equipment rental for 3 days (skis, boots, poles and helmet), and 2 hours of basic ski instruction on Day 2 morning.

What the package does not include: additional gondola rides beyond the included ones (Rs 750 per person per ride), advanced ski coaching if you want more than the included 2 hours (Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per hour), personal expenses and shopping, and travel to Haridwar from your city.

How to Reach Auli From Delhi

Auli is 300 km from Haridwar and 490 km from Delhi. The most common approach: train from Delhi to Haridwar (multiple trains daily, journey takes 3.5 to 5 hours), then a 7 to 8 hour road journey from Haridwar through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Joshimath. From Joshimath take the gondola or a road that has been extended to Auli base area. Our packages include all transport from Haridwar.

The road from Haridwar to Joshimath is a proper Himalayan mountain road — scenic, sometimes slow, occasionally hair-raising on the narrow sections above the river gorges. It is part of the experience. If you are prone to motion sickness take medication before you leave Haridwar and carry more for the road.

Best Months for Skiing at Auli — Detailed Season Guide

January is peak snow month. Temperatures at Auli drop to minus 10 to minus 14 degrees at night and hover around minus 2 to plus 4 degrees during the day. Snow depth on the main slope can reach 2 to 3 metres. The Auli Ski Festival is sometimes held in January or February. Book 4 to 6 weeks in advance as accommodation fills up.

February is slightly warmer but still excellent skiing. The Auli Ski Festival frequently falls in late January or early February bringing national and sometimes international ski competitions to the slopes. If you can time your visit to coincide, the atmosphere is electric.

December is early season. Snow is usually present but lighter than January. Temperatures are cold but more manageable. A good choice if you want skiing without January's intensity.

March is late season with softer, heavier snow. Skiing is still very good especially in early March. Temperatures are rising and the days are pleasant. By late March the snow starts melting on lower sections.

Auli in Summer and Monsoon — Non-Skiing Season

Auli is genuinely beautiful outside ski season. In April and May the rhododendrons bloom and the meadows turn green. The gondola runs year-round. Summer temperatures at Auli are around 15 to 22 degrees — significantly cooler than the plains. Trekking routes from Auli to Gurso Bugyal and Kwani Bugyal offer some of the best Himalayan meadow walking in Uttarakhand with close-up Nanda Devi views. We run summer packages to Auli as part of our Auli-Joshimath exploration trips.

Accommodation at Auli — Honest Guide

GMVN operates a hotel and ski resort right at the slopes — convenient but basic. Several private guesthouses have opened in recent years with better food and more comfortable rooms. Most accommodation at Auli is in simple rooms with hot water (usually a bucket rather than a shower), blankets, and basic meals. Do not arrive expecting a boutique hotel experience. The setting compensates for everything.

Joshimath 16 km below Auli has more accommodation options at a wider range of price points. If budget is a concern, staying in Joshimath and taking the gondola up each morning works well.