LOCATION

Auli is towards the north of the state and forms a part of the Garhwal mountain range. It is at a distance of 16 km from Joshimath, on the Badrinath route. The slopes, which are as high as 9000 feet above sea level, are covered with dense deodar and oak forests and this often reduces the velocity of the chilly winds to the minimum. The slopes offer a panoramic view of many a famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri.

THE PAST

In the 8th century AD, the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya is said to have tread on these fields. The temple built by him at Joshimath still exists. For hundreds of years, the colorful semi-nomadic tribes of the Bhotiyas, of the Mongolian stock, traversed the trails at Auli, locally called Thatauli. Their longhaired yaks, laden with an assortment of goods, assisted them in conducting a flourishing trade with nearby Tibet.

Before Auli was developed as a ski resort, its slopes were the training ground for men of valor and courage-the ski-equipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. Among the awesome, legendary peaks ranged round Auli, the 23,490-feet-high Trishul (literal meaning, the strident of Lord Shiva) was the scene of a unique expedition in 1958. The mountaineers took four days to climb the peak and only 90 minutes to ski down to the base camp.

WHEN TO VISIT

If one is an adventure freak, the best time to visit Auli is during the winter season. The period from late November to late March is generally considered ideal for skiers. As the winters set in, the mountains seem to extend to the firmament with arms of snow. From December to March, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam conducts 7-day and 15-day courses for both amateurs and advanced learners.

FACILITIES

Besides the natural gifts, Auli has also been provided with state-of-the-art amenities. Simple hotel accommodation and tourist rest houses are available at Joshimath. It is linked with Joshimath with a 3.9-km-long cable car linking, besides the 16-km-long motorable road. One can also find a 500-m-long chair lift linking the lower and upper slopes. Ski equipment, snow beaters are available on hire. Special ski packages, including all meals, lodging, equipment, hire and lessons are provided for casual tourists. In order to avail such packages, one has to contact the General Manager, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) at 0135-656817 (telephone) or 6544078 (fax). A useful institutional office for casual tourists is the GMVN office at Landswone Marg, Dehradun. Efficient communication facilities are also available in this small town. Medical attention is also provided for by the army and civil hospitals in the town. Rescue operations are also carried out competently using helicopters.

At Auli, GMVN provides meals at regular intervals for both trainees and holidaymakers. Plans are underway to open a bar at Auli. At Joshimath, there is an abundance of fruit, and dhabas (small eating joints) line the main road. The Bhotiya concoction of green tea with butter can still be savored by special request at a few chai shops in Joshimath. Woolen caps, blankets, shawls are attractive buys at Joshimath.

HOW TO REACH