Auli

A ski slope above Joshimath

Auli is a set of open slopes at about 2,800 to 3,000 m in Chamoli district, high above the town of Joshimath on the road to Badrinath. It is not really a town. There are a few hotels, the state-run GMVN resort, a ski institute and a scatter of tea stalls along one long hillside. The draw is the view: on a clear morning, Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dronagiri and a long line of Garhwal peaks fill the northern skyline. In winter the slopes turn white and Auli becomes India's best-known ski field after Gulmarg. In summer they are green grazing meadows.

The ropeway is shut

The long cable car from Joshimath to Auli, for decades the classic way up, stopped on 5 January 2023, when land subsidence cracked houses and roads across Joshimath. It has not run since. In June 2026 local reports still described it as non-functional, with a new ropeway planned but no work finished. Do not plan around it. The Auli Ropeway page explains what is left of it and what may replace it.

How you get up now

Everyone now comes by road. From Joshimath it is roughly 15 km of steep, winding hill road, about 40 minutes by car or shared jeep. After heavy snow the last stretch can close or need chains, and local taxis are the safer bet. On the slopes, a chairlift of about 800 m links the lower area near the car park with the upper slope, and a short drag lift serves skiers. The chairlift ran for the February 2026 winter carnival; ask at the counter, as it stops for wind and maintenance.

What to do

• Ski or learn to ski on the Auli Ski Slopes from January to March, when there is enough snow.
• Walk to the Auli Artificial Lake, built to supply water for snow-making.
• Walk about 3 km from the top of the chairlift to the meadow of Gurson Bugyal, and about 1 km further to the small lake of Chattrakund.

Joshimath and Badrinath

Joshimath, also officially called Jyotirmath, is the base for food, cash, fuel and transport. It is still lived in and the Badrinath highway still runs through it, although some areas were evacuated in 2023. Badrinath is about 45 km further up the valley and is open only in the summer pilgrim season. Many visitors combine the two.

Planning

From Rishikesh the drive is about 250 km and usually takes 9 to 10 hours through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Chamoli. Break the journey if you can. Auli is high enough for mild altitude symptoms, so take the first day slowly. See the best time to visit page for snow and meadow months.