Auli in December 2026: Snow, Skiing, Ropeway and How to Plan

Short answer: Auli in December is cold, quiet and often white by the last week of the month. Days sit around 8–10°C and nights dip below freezing. Fresh snow is likely but not certain before Christmas; the dependable ski season runs January to March. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway is still shut, so you drive the 16 km from Joshimath. Badrinath closes on 16 November 2026, so pair Auli with Joshimath, Gorson Bugyal and the chairlift rather than the temple.

How cold is Auli in December, and will there be snow?

Auli’s slopes sit between roughly 2,500 m and 3,050 m (Chamoli district administration), so December is a true winter month. Published monthly figures for Auli show a December maximum near 10°C and a minimum near −1°C; January drops to about 7°C and −4°C (euttaranchal weather tables, checked 23 October 2026). Those are averages. On a clear afternoon in the sun you may be comfortable in a fleece. After 4 pm the temperature falls fast, and nights in a hotel without central heating feel much colder than the number suggests.

Snow is the real question. Most years the first serious western disturbance reaches Garhwal between mid-December and the first week of January. The same tables describe December snowfall as “infrequent” and January onwards as snow-covered. So plan on this: before 20 December, expect brown slopes with patches of old snow on north faces and a strong chance of a clear Nanda Devi view; after Christmas, odds improve week by week. If snow matters more than dates, travel in the second half of January or in February instead.

If you want a wider view of where winter is reliable, our Himachal snowfall outlook for winter 2026–27 and Kashmir in December guide compare the options.

Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway open in December 2026?

No. The 4.15 km Joshimath–Auli ropeway, one of the longest in Asia when it opened in 1993, has been closed since January 2023, when land subsidence and cracks near the towers in Joshimath forced GMVN to stop it. The GMVN booking page still shows “Ropeway ride is currently closed”, and independent updates verified in August 2026 report the same, with a replacement ropeway only at the detailed-project-report stage (checked 23 October 2026). There is no announced reopening date.

What this means in practice: every visitor now drives the 16 km hill road from Joshimath to Auli, about 30–45 minutes in dry conditions and longer after snow. Small cars manage in December when the road is clear; after a snowfall, local taxis with chains and experienced drivers are the sensible choice. Hotel pick-ups from Joshimath are common.

Chairlift, ski lift and skiing: what actually runs in December?

The GMVN chairlift is a different machine from the ropeway. It is an open chair that climbs about 800 m from the GMVN ski resort towards Tower 8, giving the classic view of Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri. It normally closes for annual maintenance in autumn and reopens before the Christmas rush. In December 2024 it resumed on 11 December at ₹500 per person round trip (reported by regional press). Expect a similar pattern this year, and confirm the date and fare with GMVN a week before you travel. A shorter ski lift serves the beginner slope when there is snow.

Skiing follows the snow. GMVN’s own courses, 7-day non-certificate and 14-day certificate programmes with instructors, equipment, dormitory stay and lift passes, are scheduled from January to March, with limited seats per batch. GMVN’s last published fee sheet is several years old, so ask them for the current rates and batch dates rather than trusting a blog figure. In December, if snow has arrived, private instructors around the slope offer hourly beginner lessons with hired gear; if it has not, there is no skiing. National championships are usually held here in January or February; the four-day National Skiing Championship opened on 13 February 2026 (All India Radio).

What else is there to do in Auli in winter?

• Gorson Bugyal: a 3–4 km walk up from the top of the chairlift through oak and deodar to an open meadow at around 3,000 m. Before snow it is an easy half-day; after snow it needs good boots, a local guide and an early start. Turn back by 1 pm.
• Chenab Lake (Chattrakund side): a small lake a few kilometres beyond Gorson, reached on a day hike in snow-free conditions only. In December treat it as optional and go only with a guide who has walked it that week.
• Auli artificial lake: built to feed the snow-making guns; a short stroll from the GMVN resort, often frozen at the edges.
• Joshimath (Jyotirmath): Narsingh Temple, the winter seat of Badrinath’s deity after the kapat closes, and the Shankaracharya math. Worth an unhurried morning.
• Sunrise and stars: the real reason to stay up at Auli rather than in Joshimath. Nanda Devi catches first light around 7 am in December.

Can I combine Auli with Badrinath or Char Dham in December?

Not the temples themselves. The 2026 closing dates were fixed on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026: Gangotri on 10 November, Kedarnath and Yamunotri on 11 November, and Badrinath at 9:37 pm on Monday 16 November 2026 (PTI-Bhasha and ETV Bharat reports). We keep the full schedule in our Char Dham closing dates 2026 post. The Badrinath road beyond Joshimath also closes to tourists for the winter, so December visitors stop at Joshimath and Auli.

The winter alternative that many pilgrims take is the “winter seat” darshan: Badri Vishal is worshipped at Narsingh Temple in Joshimath and Kedarnath’s deity at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. If you want the full pilgrimage, hold it for May–October and look at our Ultimate Char Dham Yatra itinerary, or the Char Dham guide for NRIs if family abroad are joining.

How do I reach Auli from Delhi?

There is no shortcut. The road from Rishikesh follows the Ganga and then the Alaknanda through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Chamoli to Joshimath. Chamoli district lists Joshimath at 253 km from Rishikesh, 277 km from Haridwar and 298 km from Dehradun; the Jolly Grant airport to Auli figure is about 279 km (chamoli.gov.in, checked 23 October 2026). Allow 9–10 hours of driving from Rishikesh in December, more if there is fog on the plains or a landslide clearance en route.

Distances from Chamoli district administration; driving times are our estimates for December conditions. The last fuel and ATMs that you can count on are in Joshimath. If you are driving your own car, carry chains from Christmas onwards.

A 4-day Auli plan for December

With a fifth day you can add a Kumaon stop on the way home, for example the temple at Kainchi; see our Delhi to Kainchi Dham guide. Auli also appears in our round-up of the best places to visit in December in India.

Christmas and New Year at Auli: crowds and booking

Auli has very few beds. GMVN’s resort, a handful of hotels on the slope and a wider spread of guesthouses in Joshimath fill up for 24–31 December, and the Joshimath–Auli road sees a visible jam on New Year’s weekend. Book rooms by early November for Christmas week, and expect peak pricing between 20 December and 5 January. If your dates are flexible, the second week of December gives you empty slopes, lower rates and, some years, the first snow; the second half of January gives you dependable snow and the ski courses. Our own custom packages for Uttarakhand are priced on request, because hotel rates swing so much by date; tell us your dates and we will send a written quote.

What to pack for Auli in December

1. A proper insulated jacket, thermals, fleece, woollen cap, neck gaiter and two pairs of gloves (one waterproof).
2. Waterproof boots with grip; carry micro-spikes if you plan the Gorson walk after snow.
3. UV sunglasses and SPF 50: snow glare at 3,000 m burns quickly.
4. Lip balm, moisturiser, a thermos, and basic medicines; the nearest pharmacy is in Joshimath.
5. Cash for the chairlift, ski hire and tea stalls; mobile data is patchy on the slopes.
6. A power bank and a torch; evening power cuts are normal in heavy snow.

Frequently asked questions

Does Auli get snow in December?

Usually by the end of the month, not always by the start. Auli’s slopes sit between 2,500 m and 3,050 m, and most years the first heavy snowfall arrives between mid-December and early January. Before 20 December expect patchy old snow; after Christmas the odds improve. For dependable cover, choose late January or February. No operator can promise snow on a specific date.

Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway working?

No. The 4.15 km ropeway has been closed since January 2023 after the Joshimath land subsidence, and GMVN’s booking page still lists it as closed as of 23 October 2026. A replacement project is only at the planning stage. Visitors drive the 16 km road from Joshimath to Auli, about 30–45 minutes in dry weather and longer after snow.

Can I ski in Auli in December?

Only if snow has fallen, and then mostly through hourly lessons with private instructors near the slope. GMVN’s structured 7-day and 14-day ski courses, which include instructors, equipment, lift pass and dormitory stay, are scheduled from January to March. If learning to ski is your main goal, plan for late January or February and book a GMVN batch in advance.

Is Badrinath open in December 2026?

No. Badrinath’s kapat close at 9:37 pm on 16 November 2026, a date fixed on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026. Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on 11 November and Gangotri on 10 November. In winter the deity is worshipped at Narsingh Temple in Joshimath, which you can visit on an Auli trip. The full Char Dham yatra resumes around late April or May 2027.

How many days do I need for Auli from Delhi?

Four days is the practical minimum: one day to Rishikesh or Haridwar, one long drive of about 253 km and 9–10 hours to Joshimath, one full day on the slopes and at Gorson Bugyal, and one day down. Five or six days lets you add Chopta or a Kumaon stop and gives you a buffer if snow or a landslide delays the road.

How cold does it get at night in Auli in December?

Published December averages for Auli are a maximum near 10°C and a minimum near −1°C, and nights after a snowfall go well below freezing. Many hotels rely on room heaters and extra quilts rather than central heating, so pack thermals, a down jacket and a woollen cap even for sleeping, and ask your hotel what heating it provides before you book.