Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra
+Previous: Rishikesh to Auli
+Next: Skiing at Auli
+Go to beginning of the series
I took the cable car to Auli early in the morning. It is a 4 km journey, which takes around 25 minutes. We climb up steeply against the views of the valley below, the mountains on the other side and the town of Joshimath.
I was at Auli a year ago, almost during the same time of the year(See: images, report). This year’s weather was much different to what I had seen then. It was biting cold, with tonnes of snow everywhere last time, but this time it was warm and pleasant. Snow was no-where to be seen in the lower regions and you had to go high up in search of it. While we were wearing layers of sweaters and jackets then, I now walked up to snow line and beyond with a thin cotton T-shirt. It was not exactly that warm, but I love the cold weather and the gentle kiss of the mildly cold wind against my body, and would not mind shivering a bit for the experience.
Lower regions did not have much snow this year
I was here for a seven day skiing course, but the fact that I did not see much snow, I was contemplating staying for just a day or two and go back. I went up to have a look at the snow where people were skiing, and it was too tempting to join them. Skiing is an addictive and irresistible sport and it is just difficult to get away from it. I decided to stay on.
I noticed a few people playing cricket just below the snow line, taking advantage of the warm weather. And some one had already set up a tea stall there! Climb a little higher and the cricket ground gave way to ski slope!
Where-ever you are in India, even high in the mountains, you are never away from a bunch of people plyaing cricket!
Learning to Ski at Auli
There are some good things about not having much snow. Besides skiing, we could manage to climb higher up in the mountains and trek around to see the beautiful Himalayan vistas spread all around Auli. Besides, we did not have to worry about the chill weather of the snowy winters that would keep you shivering through the day. I spent the first day without bothering to wear the skis. I walked around and spent time taking pictures, watching others learn skiing or chatting with instructors whom I knew from last year.
I spent some time taking images of beautiful vistas of mountains across the valley
Next day, I was up to go up with my ski gear and figure out how much did I remember from the last year’s ski lessons.
Also see more about Auli in paintedstork.com
Visit to Auli in 2005
* Images from Auli(plenty of snow)
* Trip report
Visit to Auli in 2006
* Images from Auli(little snow)
* A back-breaking journey: from Rishikesh to Auli
* First Day at Auli
* The days of Skiing
* Spending time in Auli
* Trekking and walking around
* About Auli
One life and two eyes are not enough to see AULI