THE SNOW FIELDS Auli, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is a new entrant in the tourist map of India. Located in the cradle of snow-capped mountains, Auli is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime. The bitter cold winds, the vast snow-covered landscape, the sylvan mountains, all add up to make Auli a skier's paradise. Representing man's constant endeavor to triumph over nature, Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring. | |||||||||
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.
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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. |
WHAT TO DO
Skiers are naturally provided with clean stretches of 10-20 km of snow-covered mountain slopes. Besides, there is a descent of 500 m from the ridge over a stretch of 3 km. The forests on the slopes also seem to help the skiers by reducing the wind velocity. In the months of February and March, Auli often hosts the National Winter Games. In a planned move, the Government and local authorities have involved the local Garhwali people to explore the slopes that rightfully belong to them.
By eight in the morning, one can see the first of the skiers and other adventure seekers. Until about four o'clock in the evening, when it gets chilly, cold and dark, the skiers make most of the slopes. For the best part of the winter season, Auli is blessed by an unusually large number of sunny days, but there are times when it snows heavily. In the evenings, the activity shifts from the slopes to the bukhari-warmed huts and resorts (bukhari: a quaint, wooden stove). People then generally pass their time listening to folklore and reveling in the local music of Garhwal in the lamp-lit rooms or besides the bonfires.
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
The nearest airport is Dehradun, about 298 km away. Rishikesh, about 235 km away, is the nearest railhead. Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli. For further information, contact the GMVN office at Rajpur Road, Dehradun or the UP tourism offices located all over the country.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Although one usually carries pullovers and other woolen wear while visiting tourist spots during winters, one has to remember that Auli is not just another winter tourist spot. The freezing temperatures force the visitors to carry such winter wear in adequate quantity and of good quality. One good practice is to carry a first-aid kit. All those interested to explore the snowfields of Auli should necessarily carry with them dark glasses, snow/gum boots, and a torch. All visitors are also advised to carry with them adequate number of spare cells or candles, as there is an acute power crisis in the region.
