New Delhi, (DMA Newsdesk): Auli in Uttaranchal is one of the major tourist destinations, famous for its beautiful slopes covered with oak and coniferous trees. Auli is a recently developed winter ski resort in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, also known as the 'Switzerland of India' for its sheer snow and scenic beauty.

Auli is the ideal place for skiing. One can ski on the clean stretches of 10-20 km of snow-covered mountain slopes. Since there are also woods on the slopes, they help reduce the wind velocity, making it better for the skiers. It is a heaven for those who really enjoy this sport. Most of the days, Auli sees war sun in winters so the skiers can make the most of it. There is truly nothing better then to ski down a clear stretch and feel the wind brush against your cheek. That exhilarating feeling is hard to describe and it is exactly what attracts tourists to Auli.

About Auli: Auli is nestled in the lap of the snow-capped peaks of Garhwal Himalayas in the Chamoli District of western Uttar Pradesh, near the world famous religious shrine of Badrinath. At an altitude of 2,500-3,050 metres above sea level, Auli's well-dressed slopes are flanked by coniferous and oak forests and offer a panoramic view of Mt. Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, Dunagriri, Beethartoli, Nilkanth, Hathi Parbat And Ghori Parbat.

The rugged and snowy terrain of Auli is so challenging that it used to be a training ground for India's para-military forces in the 1970's.

Realising the potential of Auli as a ski-resort, the Government of U.P. had it surveyed by French and Australian experts, who favourably compared the slopes of Auli to the best in the world. Auli is today a promising ski-spot and an ideal winter resort.

History of Auli: In the 8th century AD, Adi Shankaracharya is said to have visited the vast meadows of Auli. He built the temple at Joshimath which continues to draw devotees on their way to Badrinath. For most part of its history, Auli was home to the semi-nomadic tribes of Mongolian stock called the Bhotiyas, who traversed its trails for hundreds of years. Called Thatauli in those days, the town was witness to a flourishing trade with neighbouring Tibet as yaks laden with goods travelled through its mountainous terrain.

Before Auli was developed as a ski resort, its slopes were the training ground for the ski-equipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. The development of Auli as a ski-resort was an initiative by the Government of U.P. Auli is India’’s first winter resort and ski destination.

How to reach Auli:

How to Reach Auli by Air: The nearest airport from Auli is in Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (approx 300kms away). Quite a few airlines operate flights to and from Dehradun connecting it to other Indian cities.

How to Reach Auli by Road: Although Auli is located in remote of the Garhwal Himalayas, a good network of roads cover the place. In fact the beast idea to reach Auli is by road from Joshimath from where Auli is only 13ksm drive. Other prominent cities in Uttaranchal and north India, such as: Rishikesh (253kms), Haridwar (277kms), Dehradun (298kms) and Delhi (500kms) lie in proximity to Auli and connected by drivable roads.

How to Reach Auli by Rail: The nearest railhead from Auli is at Haridwar (approx 300kms). Several important trains link Haridwar to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Allahabad and so on.

How to Reach Auli by Cable Car: The most popular way to reach Auli is by cable car. The last 3kms journey by the ropeway would drop you right in Auli. Apart from the convenience, the bird’s eye view you get from the cable car is an irresistible charm.

Major tourist attractions in Auli: The small hill station of Auli in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions in North India. It is already being hailed as the best skiing slope in Asia , and one of the best in the world. Winter sports are becoming increasingly popular in this ski resort. The area also offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. The major tourist attraction in Auli is surely its skiing slopes. The slopes reach up to a height of 9000 feet above sea level, and the oak and deodar forests offer just the kind of resistance to wind that is required in a perfect skiing slope.

There are other interesting tourist attractions in and around Auli. The Gurso Bugyal is a vast meadow spread among forests of Oak and other trees. The Chattrakund, is located just a kilometer away from here. It is the location of a small sweet water lake by the same name. Saildhar Tapovan is the location of many hot water springs. The place is situated on the Joshimath road, about 15 kilometers from Auli. Chenab Lake , Vanshinarayan Kalpeshwar, and Bhavishya Badri, are some of the nearby places of interest.

Joshimath is the nearest town and has historic significance. It is home to one of the four centers of learning, or pithas established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya in India. A long ropeway, (4.15 kilometers) connects Joshimath and Auli and is one of the longest ropeways in India. Badrinath and Hemkunda Sahib are the other two famous pilgrimage centers located near Auli. Pithoragarh is an important tourist destination as it is known as the gateway to the Himalayas. The pilgrims to the famous Kailasa Manas Sarovar Lake have to pass through Pithoragarh. Baijnath temple in Bageswar is believed to have been built by the Pandavas.

Almora is an important town with its historical significance and many quaint temples. The Rudreshwar Mahadev temple is dedicated to Lord Shivga and is a major tourist attraction in Almora. The town is also known as the cultural center of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. The valley of flowers is a world famous nature retreat known for the colorful flowers that blossom there during spring. Many Fairs and festivals are also included among the tourist attractions in Auli. The winter games are held here during February and March and are becoming increasingly popular among tourists.

Hotels in Auli:

Clifftop Club: of 3050msl. The resort offers both cross-country hiking and downhill skiing. There is a ski school with trainer, equipment and porter. Peak season is from January – Mar. They also organise mountaineering, rock climbing, river rafting, horse riding, and pilgrimage tours to nearby Joshimath & Badrinath.

Rooms & Amenities
The resort has 20 one-bedroom apartments, furnished with a partial kitchenette, attached bathrooms with hot water facility. All have TV, telephone and radiators. There is a 24-hr coffee shop and al fresco restaurant serving multi-cuisine. The resort also offers live entertainment, playground area, yoga and meditation classes. Snow scooters are available for hire. Conference facilities are available. Visa and Master Card are accepted.

GMVN Skiing & Tourist Resort: GMVN Skiing Tourist Resort is located near ITBP, Auli. This resort was opened to guests in 1984. The resort is 260 kms away from Jolly Grant, airport Dehradun, 250 kms far from Rishikesh railway station and 15 kms far from Joshimutt bus station. The resort is 15 km away from Shops, Market, Restaurant, Bank and ATM. The resort is 18 kms away from Narshing Mandir, 15 kms from Sankaracharya Tapastali, 40 kms from Pandukeshwar 60 kms from Badrinath Mandir and 20 kms from Hot Spring Point.

Rooms & Amenities
Overall there are 12 deluxe rooms. They have an in-house restaurant, providing vegetarian and non-vegetarian and a bar. The hotel provides sightseeing packages to the tourists.

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