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Snow-dusted terraced slopes at Auli with high snow peaks rising across the valley under a blue sky
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Photo: Srijan96 · CC BY-SA 4.0
town26 min from Joshimath

Auli — the meadow and ski slope above Joshimath

Auli, at about 2,800 m and 26 minutes above Joshimath: a high meadow that is India's best-known ski slope in winter, host of the 2011 South Asian Winter Games.

What it is

Auli, also called Auli Bugyal, is a high meadow at about 2,800 m above Joshimath, bugyal being the Garhwali word for such a meadow. It is ringed by conifer and oak forest and looks out on a long line of Himalayan peaks. In winter it is the best-known ski slope in India: Auli hosted the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011 and has held the Winter National Games too.

Photos: Navi8apr (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Michael Scalet (CC BY-SA 2.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Getting there

By road it is about 13 km and 26 minutes from Joshimath on our routing; Wikipedia puts it about 6.6 km from the Shankaracharya Math in a straight line. Wikipedia also describes a ropeway from Joshimath, one of the longest in Asia, that runs only from November to March. We cannot confirm whether it is running today, so ask in Joshimath first.

Skiing and the seasons

The slopes are laid out for both beginners and experienced skiers. The state's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam runs the resort, and with the state tourism department holds winter sports competitions here. We have no verified rates for equipment hire, lessons or lifts, so ask on the spot. Outside the snow months the meadow is a walking and viewing place, and Wikipedia mentions trekking and rafting nearby.

When to go

The winter months for snow and skiing; the rest of the year for the meadow and the view of the peaks. The ropeway, by Wikipedia's account, runs from November to March only.

Around it

The one-day plan puts Auli after the Narsingh Temple. For the season, read when to visit Joshimath, and for the rest, things to do in Joshimath.

Plans that include this

All 1 plans that stop here →
The tall grey stone tower of the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath, seen from below against a deep blue sky
One day in Joshimath — the Narsingh temple, Jyotirmath and Auli
Day plan · First visit · Temples & heritage
A one-day Joshimath plan: the Narsingh Temple and Adi Shankara's Jyotirmath in the morning, then Auli's meadow and slopes 26 minutes up the road. Free to copy.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Nov
See the plan →

Nearby places

All of Joshimath →
Narsingh Temple, Joshimath — and Adi Shankara's Jyotirmath
Narsingh Temple, Joshimath — and Adi Shankara's Jyotirmath
temple · 2.1 km away
Pandukeshwar — Yogadhyan Badri, below Badrinath
Pandukeshwar — Yogadhyan Badri, below Badrinath
town · 11 km away
Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib — the lake gurdwara above Ghangaria
Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib — the lake gurdwara above Ghangaria
temple · 19 km away
Valley of Flowers National Park — from Govindghat and Ghangaria
Valley of Flowers National Park — from Govindghat and Ghangaria
park · 23 km away
Badrinath Temple — the Char Dham shrine on the Alaknanda
Badrinath Temple — the Char Dham shrine on the Alaknanda
temple · 24 km away
Mana — the village beyond Badrinath, with Bheem Pul and Vyas Gufa
Mana — the village beyond Badrinath, with Bheem Pul and Vyas Gufa
town · 27 km away
Vasudhara Falls — the walk from Mana
Vasudhara Falls — the walk from Mana
waterfall · 30 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The painted stone façade of the Badrinath Temple with its gilt cupola, under green slopes and a blue sky
Badrinath
24 km away · 4 itineraries · 4 places
A grassy mountain meadow among rocky outcrops and forest at Chopta, with snow peaks hazy in the distance
Chopta
36 km away · 3 itineraries · 4 places
The town of Almora spread across a terraced ridge under a blue sky with clouds
Almora
106 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
Rows of boats with red cushioned seats moored on Nainital Lake, with forested hills across the water
Nainital
128 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
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Questions people ask

How do you get to Auli from Joshimath?

By road, about 13 km and 26 minutes on our routing. Wikipedia also describes a ropeway from Joshimath, one of the longest in Asia, running only from November to March; we cannot confirm its current status or fares, so ask in Joshimath before planning on it.

Can you ski in Auli?

Yes, in winter. Wikipedia describes slopes for beginners as well as experienced skiers, run by the state's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, which holds winter sports competitions here. Auli hosted the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011. We have no verified prices for equipment or lessons, so ask on the day.

What does Auli mean?

It is also called Auli Bugyal; bugyal is the Garhwali word for a high meadow. Auli sits at about 2,800 m, surrounded by conifer and oak forest, with a wide view of the Himalayan peaks, which is why people come in summer as well as in the snow.