I’ll follow you across the snow;
Ye travel heavily and slow;
In spite of all my weary pain
I’ll look upon your tents again
— William Wordsworth in The
Complaint of a Forsaken Indian Woman
Auli, 16 km from Joshimath is
an ideal winter resort run by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). A 3 km long
slope ranging from a height of 2519 to 3049 m is a major attraction. Nestled in
the Garhwal Himalayas, Auli has many more highs. Look around, and there is a
180-degree view of snow-clad peaks - prominent being Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and
Panch Chuli. The splurge of white is half-surrounded on one side by oak forests.
Besides, the frequent thrashing that the slopes receive from snow beaters, make
them a sight for sore eyes. The visitors can sit for hours on end, relaxing in
God’s own resort.
All the basic necessities are
at hand, sans the phone beeps. But most visitors find the absence of phone
connections here a welcome change from other destinations. There is nothing in
their world that cannot wait for 24 hours. But this is not to undermine the
utility of scientific devices at Auli. The upper slopes of Auli host the longest
ropeway in Asia. This ropeway has ten towers of self-supporting steel
structures, complete with saddles and shoes. Besides, Auli also offers the
luxury of an 800-meter chair lift linking the lower slopes with the upper
region. Remote-controlled hydraulic and pneumatic braking system makes it safe
to travel in this chair, which also has a storm-warning device attached to it.
Another comfortable scientific contribution to this highland is a
state-of-the-art ski lift.
The closest airport for Auli is
at Dehradun, the capital of Uttaranchal. The airport is at a distance of 298
kms. The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, about 235 kms from Auli. Frequent
buses run for Auli from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Hardwar and Delhi. En route, one
comes across confluences (called prayags) of various tributaries into the river
Ganga. Infact, it is at Deoprayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge to be
named the Ganga. Brief stopovers to these prayags - Deoprayaga, Rudraprayaga,
Karnapryaga, and Nandprayaga - are a treat. The scenic views of the Alaknanda
valley, through out the uphill road are only aperitifs. The culmination point
waits you at Auli. Auli is 16 kilometer from Joshimath. The chair-lift is the
best way to move up the slopes. From Joshimath, one can also get to Auli by
hired jeeps. It is advisable to reach Joshimath by 4 pm, from where the ropeway
chair can take you to Auli. Road to Auli is closed after dusk.
For the ski enthusiasts, Auli
is an active destination. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) offers a
fortnight-long skiing course for the amateurs. There is also a weeklong course
for the tourists.
Snow Skiing Programme at
Auli 2007-2008
-
7 Days Non Certificate Course
|
Month |
Days |
Course No. |
Total Seats |
|
January 08 |
07 to 13 |
1 |
40 |
|
|
14 to 20 |
2 |
40 |
|
|
22 to 28 |
3 |
40 |
|
|
29 to 04 |
4 |
40 |
|
February 08 |
06 to 12 |
5 |
40 |
|
|
13 to 19 |
6 |
40 |
|
|
21 to 27 |
7 |
40 |
|
March 08 |
1 to 07 |
8 |
40 |
|
|
9 to 15 |
9 |
40 |
|
|
16 to 22 |
10 |
40 |
|
|
24 to 30 |
11 |
55 |
-
14 Days Certificate Course
|
Month |
Days |
Course No. |
Total Seats |
|
January 08 |
07 to 20 |
1 |
15 |
|
|
22 to 04 Feb |
2 |
15 |
|
February 08 |
06 to 19 |
3 |
15 |
|
|
21 to 05 Mar |
4 |
15 |
|
March 08 |
9 to 22 |
5 |
15 |
-
Course Fees
|
S.No |
Course Category |
Course Fee |
|
|
7 Days Non Certificate Course |
|
|
1 |
Student (Below 25 yrs) |
4,420.00/- |
|
2 |
General |
4,870.00/- |
|
3 |
Foreigner (Irrespective of age) |
6,080.00/- |
|
|
14 Days Certificate Course |
|
|
1 |
Student (below 25 years) |
8,900.00/- |
|
2 |
General |
9,790.00/- |
|
3 |
Foreigner (Irrespective of age) |
12,240.00/- |
Charges per day for tourist and casual visiters will be as follows :
|
Ski Equipment |
Category |
Half day |
Full Day |
|
1- Alpine/NordicAdult |
225 |
275 |
|
|
2- Ski ChargesChild |
175 |
225 |
|
|
3- Ski LessonAdult/Child |
125 |
175 |
|
|
4- Ski GlovesAdult/Child |
175.00 |
|
|
|
5- Ski GogglesAdult/Child |
75 |
75 |
|
Contact
|
Head Office :
Dehradun (Head Office),GM (Tourism),
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,
74/1, Rajpur Rd.,
Dehradun-248001.
Tel.: 0135-2740896, 2746817, 2749308, 2748478.
Fax: 0135-2746847.
Email: gmvn@gmvnl.com ,
gmvn@sancharnet.in |
Yatra Office :
Rishikesh (Yatra Office), AGM (Tourism),
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,
Tourist Information Centre,
(Advance Reservation Centre), Shail Vihar,
Haridwar By Pass Road, Rishikesh - 249201.
Tel.: 0135-2431793, 2431783, 2435174, 2432648, 2430799, 2430357 (R) • Fax:
0135-2430372.
Email: yatra@gmvnl.com ,
yatraoffice@sancharnet.in |
| |
|
[Note : Training fee, rules
and regulations are subject to revision without prior notice]
Terms and Conditions
-
Fee includes boarding, loading (shared accommodation ski equipment at
Assan).
-
Student under the age of 25 years are required to submit a certificate of
date of birth as well as a bonafide from school/college along with the
application from failing which he/she may be charged full fee.
-
In
case of students, no participants will be admitted without producing the
above documents and confirmation letter issued by GMVN Ltd.
-
*Participants are requested to send the duly filled application form, along
with 50% of full fee (Non refundable) in advance by bank draft drawn in
favour of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. payable at Dehradun.
-
However 10% of the advance deposited shall be deducted while making refund
if a cource is cancelled.
-
The balance 50% of the fees will have to be deposited by Bank-Draft/Cash at
the time of joining the course at GMVN water sports centre at Assan.
-
Separate sharing accommodation will be provided to female participants.
-
*Participants are advised to report at GMVN, Water Sports Centre, Assan,
District Dehradun on the evening one day prior to the commencement of the
course.
-
Minimum age limit for water ski course is above 12 years of age.
-
Participants must be physically fit for water Skiing Course.
|