There are places that you travel to for a break from your routine existence and then there are places which ignite the travel fire within you.
Auli, for me, was 1 of those first places which ignited the travel bug in me. A place whose memories are not remembered by looking at photographs, they are always present in the Heart.
Region - Garhwal Range, Uttarakhand, India
Claim to fame - Hosts India's National Winter Sports Tournaments
Auli begins to delight you even before you have stepped foot on its lands, and that is because it is accessed by Asia’s longest ropeway measuring 3kms. Setting foot in Auli, one must savour the hot pakodas and tea served at the tower where one alights.
Having been there at the age of 14, the place turned out to be a life changer in more ways than one. The blanket of snow flanked by the snow capped peaks of the Garhwal Himalayan range is a sight that is etched in one’s mind forever. Auli also offers spectacular views of India’s 2nd highest peak – Nandadevi standing at 25663 ft, 7824 m.
The lodging offered by GMVN is simple but charming, especially the Log Houses.
Though one needs to walk from the cable car tower to the lodgings from GMVN, most people enjoy it. Word of caution here – kindly ensure that snow does not get into your boots and if it does, remove it quickly. I almost had to have all my ten toes cut off due to frost bite, but God had mercy on me.
Ski equipment and training is offered by GMVN. Training courses are conducted in modules of 7 and 14 days. Training is imparted to the enrolled persons in modern skiing techniques by qualified instructors from Skiing and Tourist Resorts, Auli and Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg.
The 7 days course is non-certificate course with a total of 25 seats. These courses are conducted in January, February and March.
The 14 days module is a certificate course, each of having 15 seats.
Though the ski slopes and facilities aren’t at par with those in the world, the natural beauty and low costs enables people of all backgrounds to enjoy its slopes, making it a serious contender in the places you Must Visit.
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