Auli, a winter wonderland in Uttarakhand

Auli, set at an altitude of 10000 ft in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is noted for being a skiing destination. In 2011, the beautiful destination hosted the first South Asian Winter Games and since then it has never been free of tourists and nature lovers. This winter wonderland in Uttarakhand is easily accessible and has earned the fame of being one of the best skiing resorts in the country. The conifer-lined slopes along with majestic Himalayan views are simply breathtaking.

Here is a list of some of the most interesting things to do in Auli.

When in Auli, skiing is the most obvious thing you do! The slopes here are perfect for beginners as well as for pros. Those interested in skiing, day passes can be availed which allows access to famous ski areas. Uttarakhand Tourism's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam offers skiing courses here to interested folks.

Auli has a beautiful artificial lake, which is one of the highest in the world. The lake water is by snow-making machines in the region that have been installed to improve snow cover in Auli.

Gorson Bugyal is a beautiful meadow at 3056 m in Auli it is also the highest point of Auli offering gorgeous views of peaks such as Nanda Devi and Dunagiri. The 2-hour picturesque trek takes you through dense oak forest and those who wish can also opt for a pony ride.

Auli is also an important religious spot. It is said that Lord Hanuman rested here for some time when searching for the Sanjeevani booti in the Himalayas for Laxmana, who was injured while fighting. A small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman was built here where devotees visit and pray.

Not many people are aware that Auli is home to Asia’s one of the largest aerial tramway/ropeways. The tramway operates from Joshimath to Auli covering a distance of about 4 km. It’s a 25-minutes long beautiful journey which costs INR 1000 per person (return). The ticket counter is located at Joshimath.