Feature - Auli Skiing

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		Introduction

Auli Skiing

The hills of Uttaranchal Pradesh have all the ingredients for adventure packed with excitement and thrills - an unexplored valley, towering peaks, flowing rivers, snow-capped mountains, a splendid combination of flora & fauna and vast tracts of virgin snow. The region also provides immense opportunities for adventure sports like skiing and the thrilling water sports which make Uttaranchal Pradesh an ideal venue for adventure seekers.
The large slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon covered with seasonal snow became an ideal place for skiing in the winter months. With their wide open spaces above the snowline, Garhwal & Kumaon offer yet another exciting possibility - ski touring amongst the glaciers. For the avid skier, cross-country runs of 10-20 kms. are now available, with the added advantage of fresh powder snow, away from criss-crossing streams of skiers that overtake the slopes of the European Alps. Because of their height and spread, Garhwal and Kumaon, like other sectors of the Himalayas, are in position to offer the thrills of exploratory long distance skiing round the year.

Auli: 16 kms. from Joshimath is an ideal winter resort run by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). A 3 kms. long slope ranging from a height of 2519 mts. to 3049 mts. is a major attraction. The Auli resort run by GMVN has snow beaters which beat the snow to keep the slopes fit for skiing at all times. A 500 mts. long ski-lift carries skiiers back to the slope top, thus saving them the trouble and time to bridge up wearing long skis.
Season : End December to March
Equipment :
GMVN provides modern ski equipment. Participants are advised to bring heavy woolen clothing like caps, socks, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, trousers, wind proof jackets, dark glasses, gum/snow boots and a torch for personal use.
Package Tours :
GMVN conducts 7 and 14 days skiing courses at Auli and special provisions for day tourists are also available. Ski training is given by qualified ski instructors.

Dayara Bugyal :Bugyal in the local language means "high altitude meadow". The road to Dayara Bugyal branches off near Bhatwari a place on Uttarkashi-Gangotri road about 28 kms. from Uttarkashi. Vehicles can go up to the village of Barsu from where one has to trek a distance of about 8 kms. to reach Dayara and other route is via village Raithal, 10 kms. from Bhatwari, from where one has to trek about 6 kms. to Dayara Bugyal. Situated at an elevation of about 3048 mts., this vast meadow is second to none in natural beauty. During winter it provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq. kms. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from here is breathtaking.
Presently accommodation is available at Bhatwari and some villager's huts may also be used by professionals for skiing.

Mundali ::Mundali is situated in district Dehradun 129 kms. from Dehradun via Chakrata. Mandali offers an unforgettable view of the snow capped Himalayas. The place has vast ski slopes on which professional can enjoy skiing.
As accommodation facility is only available at Forest Rest House therefore one has to ensure accommodation through the Forest Department.

Munsyari :The easternmost hill district of Uttaranchal bordering Nepal in the east and Tibet in the north, Pithoragarh is often called 'Miniature Kashmir' Nestling amidst spectacular Kumaon Himalayas at a height of 1645 mts. is a small valley barely 5 kms. long and 2 kms. wide.
Located at an altitude of 2135 mts., Munsyari is situated at a distance of 66 kms. from Jauljibi and 127 kms. from Pithoragarh via Thal. Munsyari is the centre as well as the gateway of the Johar region. Munsyari is the base for treks to Milam, Namik and Ralam Glaciers. There is a Tourist Rest House and a small town.
Khalia top and Betulidhar are two high altitude places, ideal for skiing.

Other areas Besides Auli, numerous places in Garhwal & Kumaon are full of potential for skiing where an individual or a group can enjoy this winter sport on their own. In Garhwal, Kush Kalyan & Kedar Kantha in Distt. Uttarkashi; Panwali & Matya in Distt. Tehri Garhwal and Bedni Bugyal in Chamoli and Chiplakot Valley in Distt. Pithoragarh in Kumaon are well known potential skiing resorts where professionals can do skiing.