Adiguru Shankaracharya on his visit to Uttarakhand had founded Joshimath which is 47 kms from Badrinath and it's snow-covered mountainous region Auli is well known for its winter sports, especially skiing. The third most famous skiing spot in the country is Auli which is just 12 kms away from Joshimath. There are dozens of areas for trekking where a tourists can take a walk and the scenery is extraordinary.

Auli  - Gurso Bugyal (3 kms),
Auli  -  Kwanri Bugyal (30 kms),
Auli  -  Chattrakund (4 kms)
Auli  -  Joshimath (4 kms)
Auli  -  Tapovan ( 10 kms)

Auli is considered the best skiing slope in Asia. Both sides of the slope are covered with oak and coniferous trees which break the speed of the wind and this makes it ideal for skiing.

Another attraction here is a sight-seeing trip between Joshimath and Auli by a ropeway. This ropeway is 4 km long one and is called the Rajju and is at a height of 1917 mts to 3027 mts above sea level. This is the longest and the second highest ropeway in Asia. Two passenger cabins are used in this. Each cabin can accommodate from 20 to 25 people. This whole trip passes through ten towers. On the eighth tower of the ropeway one can stop because this is where one gets off for skiing and looking in and around Auli. It takes about half an hour to complete this trip.

Right in front of Auli, is one of the highest peak, Nanda Devi. Along with it can be seen the Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains.

Auli is a grazing land spread over 6 kms. In the local language they call this "Byugal". In summer, in the old days, the local villagers used to graze their cattle here. During monsoons thousands of different variety of flowers bloom here.

TOURIST SPOTS
Gurso Bugyal : 3 kms from Auli, Gurso Bugyal is a huge meadow spread amidst a mixed forest of oaks and conifers. Gurso Bugyal is at 3056 mts above sea-level. One can reach Joshimath via the ropeway. It is barely 1.5 kms from the last tower of the ropeway.As there is no accommodation available here one can only admire the scenery during the day and return to Auli by night.

Chattrakund: 1 km from Gurso Bugyal, in the middle of the jungle is a small lake of sweet water called Chattrakund. This place can be visited when visiting Gurso Bugyal.

Kwanri Bugyal: 12 kms from Gurso Bugyal Kwanri is a very interesting place for trekkers. Its at 3350 mts above sea-level. Many tourists camp here in summer. June and September months are the best time visit.

Clothings: Light woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter .

The Geography, Altitude and Temperature
Auli is an Alpine meadow land in the real Himalayas, located at an altitude of 3027 meters above sea level, and spread over an area of 6 square kms.

In the local language they call this "Bugyal". In summer, in the old days, the local villagers used to graze their cattle here. During monsoons thousands of different variety of flowers bloom here, making it appear like heaven’s own garden.

Well ! The best things.....
in life they say are for free.... !