Skiing

skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. It is also commonly known as downhill skiing, although that also incorporates different styles.

General Information

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 Auli Ski Resort is close to the famous religious shrine of Badrinath. 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.