Auli is a picture-perfect town that was initially developed as a paramilitary base. It is now known as the best winter destination in the country. This is also a good ski destination that hosts several winter adventure sports.
Geography of Auli
Located at a height of 2800 m, the area is surrounded by coniferous forests and oak spread over several acres. From here, you can enjoy a few of the spectacular views when you just cannot miss out on the second-highest peak in the country, the Nanda Devi, which is at a height of 7816 m.
The best skiing destination in the country is also the gateway to the Valley of Flowers National. It includes the following-
- Gorson Bugyal
- Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara
- Tapovan
- Pangerchulla Summit
- Mana Parvat
- Kamat Kamet
Some destinations in Auli are Dayara Bugyal, Mundali, and Munsiyari. It is also believed that you can bask in the glory of a few spiritual destinations here since Auli Uttarakhand received the divine blessings of Shankaracharya on his visit.
How Will You Reach the Ski Destination in Uttarakhand?
If you have plans to visit the ski town, and if you happen to hail from Delhi, there are ways you can reach this place.
Surface Transport
If you travel from Delhi, the bus is the best way to reach Auli. You can take a bus to Rishikesh from Delhi. It is a one-night journey. From Rishikesh, a private cab will take approximately 9 hours. Alternatively, you could also take a shared vehicle from Joshimath, which would take a few hours to reach.
The second-longest cable car in the country runs from Joshimath to Auli. If you want some thrill and fun, you could take this route as well. The cable car stretches for 16 km and takes roughly 22 minutes to complete. You can enjoy the picturesque Garhwal Ranges of the Himalayas.
Note# It is best not to drive after sunset on the road connecting Joshimath and Rishikesh. Even if drivers assure you of safety, do not take a risk.
Badrinath
If you want to reach Auli from Badrinath, avail of a cab service.
From Joshimath
You can avail yourself of a ride on the Cable Car that plies between Auli and Joshimath for as much as INR 700 per passenger.
Traveling by air
The nearest airport to Auli is the Jolly Grant Airport, which is located in Dehradun. Once you reach Dehradun, you can hire a cab or a bus to take you to the ski town. However, if you are traveling by bus from Dehradun, be informed that you can only go up to Joshimath by bus. You can reach the ski town from Joshimath by ropeway or by road. Traveling by ropeway is way more exciting.
Traveling to the Ski Town by Train
Haridwar is the nearest railway station to Auli, at a distance of 273 km. Rishikesh and Dehradun also have railway connectivity.
Best time to visit Auli
The table below explains the weather you expect in the ski town.
| MONTH | HIGH (DEGREE CELSIUS) | LOW (DEGREE CELSIUS) |
| January | 5 | -4 |
| February | 8 | -3 |
| March | 9 | -1 |
| April | 14 | 2 |
| May | 18 | 5 |
| June | 20 | 9 |
| July | 19 | 11 |
| August | 19 | 12 |
| September | 19 | 10 |
| October | 16 | 5 |
| November | 13 | 3 |
| December | 8 | -2 |
Depending on your temperature preference, you can spend on a travel package that will serve your purpose. Since it is a skiing destination, and if you are fond of tit, traveling to Auli during the winter months is your best bet.