SKIING AT AULI
It wouldn’t be
wrong to call Auli the Ski capital of India. Located at 2,500 to 3,050 meters,
in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, The month of December heralds the beginning
of the skiing season, which bears witness to the commencement of several ski
festivals, along with the National Skiing Championships.
The snowy
excitement goes on all the way till March. Run and maintained by the Garhwal
Mandal Vikas Nigam, the resort provides skiers with necessary equipment and all
state-of-the-art facilities. Facilities of chair lift and a ski lift are
available for skiers with the objective of conserving their time and labour.
The ski lift has been imported from
France and is the longest one in the country. The ski slopes descend from 3,049
meters to 2,915 meters. Accommodation at the resort is warm, cozy and decent.
With a 110-bed capacity, delicious food, adequate heating arrangements, hot
water, medical facilities and congenial hospitality, there is no dearth of
facilities at this very budget-friendly resort.
If it’s an
excursion you’re interested in, a 16-kilometre drive to Joshimath will give you
the benefit of exploring ancient temples dating back to 8 B.C. Auli is quite
remote when it comes to accessibility, with the nearest railway station being
Haridwar, 299 kilometers away and the closest airport, Jolly Grant at Dehradun,
273 kilometres away.
Snow-covered slopes aren’t just to be
admired, but to be enjoyed. Skiing has gained popularity as an alternative
sport in the winter months. At an elevation of 2,915 - 3,049 meters with five
kilometers expanse of snow, Auli is offers perfect grounds for beginners and
seasoned skiers alike. Coniferous and oak forests line the slopes.
The peaks of Nanda
Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri can be seen from the location. Its
importance as a venue of adventure sports lies in its natural advantages
enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities. The adventurous skier can go for cross
country runs covering 10 - 20 kilometers. For the less adventurous, ski touring
the glaciers is another enjoyable option.
Besides Auli, other ski spots include
Dayara Bugyal, Munsiyari and Mundali. Mundali is situated in Dehradun, 129
kilometres from the main Dehradun town. Mundali’s enormous skiing rings offer
incredible sights of the Himalayan slopes.
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport is the
nearest Airport to Auli situated at a distance of 286kms. Jolly Grant Airport
is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Auli is well connected by motorable
roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to
Auli.
By Train
The nearest railway station
to Auli is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 264kms before Auli
on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major
destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Auli is well connected
by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are available from
Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath and many other
destinations to Auli.
By Bus
Auli is well connected by
motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to
Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses
and Taxis to Auli are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state
like Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Ukhimath, Srinagar, Chamoli
etc. Auli is situated only 14kms from Joshimath which lies on NH58.
