India has two ski resorts worth having a serious conversation about. Auli in Uttarakhand and Gulmarg in Kashmir. Everything else is a ski area — Solang Nullah near Manali, Narkanda in Himachal, Mundali near Chakrata — perfectly enjoyable places to stand on skis for an afternoon, but not places you plan a ski holiday around. Auli and Gulmarg are different. They are actual ski destinations, with real vertical drop, real lift infrastructure, and real mountain terrain that rewards anyone who comes prepared to ski seriously.
The question of which one to choose is one that every Indian skier and most first-time snow visitors eventually ask, and the answer is not as straightforward as most comparison guides make it sound. Gulmarg is higher, has more vertical, better natural snowfall, and a more developed ski culture. Auli has Nanda Devi as its permanent backdrop, a more straightforward access situation, a longer surrounding travel context — Badrinath, the Valley of Flowers, the Char Dham circuit — and a quality of ski experience that is genuinely excellent for everyone below the advanced level. They are not competing for the same skier. The question is which skier you are.
This guide gives both resorts a fair, honest assessment — the terrain, the snow, the lift systems, the access, the surrounding experience, and the specific types of skier each suits best. And then it tells you which one to choose based on what you actually came for.
Auli and Gulmarg — Side by Side…
| Auli, Uttarakhand | Gulmarg, Kashmir | |
| Altitude | 8,200 to 9,843 feet | 8,694 to 13,780 feet (Apharwat peak) |
| Vertical drop | Approximately 500 metres | Approximately 1,400 metres (full mountain) |
| Ski runs | 10 km of groomed runs · beginner to intermediate | 20+ km · beginner to extreme · off-piste available |
| Lift system | Gondola from Joshimath · chairlift · drag lifts | Two-stage gondola (Phase 1 and 2) · chairlifts · drag lifts |
| Snow quality | Good — dry powder in Jan-Feb · artificial snow system for lean years | Excellent — Kashmir receives heavy natural snowfall · powder skiing |
| Season | January to mid-March | December to March — longer season than Auli |
| Difficulty range | Beginner to intermediate — no extreme terrain | Beginner to expert — extensive off-piste and steeps for advanced skiers |
| Ski school | GMVN basic ski school · private instructors available | Better-developed ski schools · more international instructors |
| Accessibility | Delhi to Joshimath 12-14 hrs · good road · no security concern | Srinagar airport · security situation varies · some travellers cautious |
| Backdrop | Nanda Devi (7,816 m) · Garhwal Himalayan panorama | Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) · Pir Panjal range · Karakoram visible on clear days |
| Beyond skiing | Badrinath · trekking · Valley of Flowers · cable car · pilgrimage | Srinagar · Dal Lake · Mughal gardens · houseboats · shikara rides |
| Accommodation | Resort hotels at Auli · better range in Joshimath below | Huts on the slopes · hotels in Gulmarg town · houseboat in Srinagar |
| Cost | Generally lower — GMVN packages affordable · Joshimath stays reasonable | Higher — particularly for accommodation in peak season |
| Crowds | Busy in Jan-Feb but manageable · no international crowd | Busier internationally · attracts serious skiers from outside India |
| Best for | First-timers · families · beginner-intermediate skiers · Himalayan pilgrimage combo | Intermediate-advanced skiers · powder seekers · longer ski holidays · international experience |
Auli — The Complete Picture…
Auli sits at 8,200 to 9,843 feet in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, connected to Joshimath below by one of Asia’s longest cable cars. It is India’s most established ski resort in terms of consistency — the same slopes, the same gondola, the same basic infrastructure has been delivering a reliable ski experience since 1993. The vertical drop of approximately 500 metres is modest by international standards and respectable by Indian ones, and the 10 kilometres of groomed runs span beginner, intermediate and a section of more challenging terrain on the upper slopes.
What Auli has that no other ski resort in India can match is the backdrop. Nanda Devi at 7,816 metres — India’s second highest peak — sits directly in the sightline from the main slope. Every run, every chairlift, every moment at the top station has this mountain in it. Kamet at 7,756 metres, Mana Parbat, Dronagiri — the full Garhwal Himalayan panorama is present and enormous from the moment the gondola exits the forest and the slopes open up. This is not incidental to the Auli ski experience. It is the centre of it.
The snow at Auli is good in the core ski season — January and February — with dry powder conditions in cold spells and well-maintained groomed runs on the main slope. The artificial snow system, fed by the reservoir lake above the slopes, means the main run is operational even in leaner snow years. By March the snowpack begins thinning and the season typically ends by mid-March, though early March can still offer good skiing in a good snow year.
The lift system consists of the 4 kilometre gondola from Joshimath — the most civilised ski commute in India — a chairlift to the upper slopes, and drag lifts on the main ski area. The infrastructure is operated by GMVN and has been improving gradually over the years. It is not at European resort standard and it is better than it was five years ago. Queue times at the gondola lower station and the chairlift can build in peak weeks — arriving early pays off.The access is straightforward by Indian mountain standards. Delhi to Joshimath by road or overnight bus, then the cable car to the slopes. No flights required, no security situation to navigate, no additional logistical complexity. The road from Rishikesh to Joshimath is well-maintained and passes through the Alaknanda valley — one of the finest mountain drives in North India. In winter the highway can close after heavy snowfall, which requires a buffer day in the itinerary, but this is mountain travel rather than a security concern.
Gulmarg — The Complete Picture…
Gulmarg sits at 8,694 feet in the Baramulla district of Kashmir, at the base of the Apharwat peak which rises to 13,780 feet. It is India’s highest and most technically demanding ski resort — a two-stage gondola system (Phase 1 to 10,600 feet, Phase 2 to 13,400 feet) gives access to terrain that ranges from gentle beginner runs near the base to genuine expert-level steep and off-piste skiing on the upper mountain. The vertical drop of approximately 1,400 metres on the full Apharwat descent is one of the most substantial ski descents available in Asia.
Gulmarg receives significantly more natural snowfall than Auli — the Kashmir valley’s weather patterns deliver heavy, reliable snow from December through March, and the powder skiing in a good January is among the finest in Asia. International skiers and snowboarders have been coming to Gulmarg specifically for the off-piste and the powder quality for two decades, and it has a reputation in serious ski circles that extends well beyond India.
The terrain is the primary reason serious skiers choose Gulmarg over Auli. The Phase 2 gondola to 13,400 feet opens up extensive off-piste skiing, steep chutes, and powder fields that have no equivalent at Auli. For intermediate skiers looking to push their ability, and for advanced skiers who want genuinely challenging mountain terrain, Gulmarg offers what Auli simply cannot — significant vertical, natural snow, and the kind of terrain that rewards a week rather than a weekend.
The access requires flying to Srinagar and then a 2 hour drive to Gulmarg. The Srinagar airport is well-served by domestic flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. The security situation in Kashmir — historically a concern for some travellers — has been more stable in recent years, but it remains a variable that some visitors factor into their decision. The practical experience of reaching Gulmarg and skiing there is straightforward for the vast majority of visitors in most years. The perception of risk is often greater than the reality, but it is a real factor for some people and worth acknowledging honestly.The surrounding experience is entirely different from Auli. Gulmarg is a ski destination in Kashmir — the broader travel context is the Dal Lake in Srinagar, the Mughal gardens, the houseboats and shikara rides, the extraordinary Kashmiri hospitality and cuisine. Combining a Gulmarg ski trip with time in Srinagar is one of the finest winter travel combinations in India. There is no pilgrimage circuit attached, no Badrinath, no Char Dham — but there is Srinagar, and Srinagar in winter is a quietly extraordinary city.
Who Should Choose Auli…
First-time skiers and beginners. Auli’s beginner slopes, GMVN ski school and manageable terrain make it an excellent first ski destination. The gondola, the views, the slope — all of it is accessible and enjoyable for someone on skis for the first time. The altitude is significant but manageable with a night’s acclimatization in Joshimath. Gulmarg at 13,400 feet on Phase 2 is not a beginner mountain.
Families with children. The Auli experience — cable car, beginner slopes, snow play in the meadow, hot chocolate at the base — is one of the finest family winter holidays in India. The access is simpler, the altitude is more manageable for children, and the surrounding experience (Badrinath, Joshimath temples, Gorson Bugyal) adds non-skiing days that work for the whole family.
Intermediate skiers who want the complete Himalayan experience. If the skiing is one component of a larger India mountain journey — combined with Badrinath, the Valley of Flowers season, trekking in the Garhwal Himalayas — Auli is the natural ski component. The surrounding context is richer for the non-ski days than anything Gulmarg’s immediate surroundings offer.
Travellers cautious about Kashmir. For those who factor the security situation into their travel decisions, Auli offers a comparable ski experience in a straightforward, well-understood travel environment. This is not a comment on the current security situation in Kashmir — it is an acknowledgement that for some travellers the perception of risk is a real factor, and Auli removes it entirely.
Budget-conscious skiers. Auli is generally less expensive than Gulmarg — GMVN ski packages are among the most affordable ski holidays in India, Joshimath accommodation is cheaper than Gulmarg resort hotels, and the overall cost of the trip is lower. For first-timers who are not sure whether they like skiing yet, Auli is the lower-risk financial commitment.
Who Should Choose Gulmarg…
Intermediate to advanced skiers. If you can ski parallel turns confidently and want terrain that will challenge you, Gulmarg is the right choice. The Phase 2 gondola to 13,400 feet opens up skiing that Auli simply cannot match in terms of vertical, difficulty or off-piste opportunity. Auli’s 500 metre vertical drop will bore a confident skier by day two. Gulmarg’s 1,400 metres will not.
Powder seekers. Gulmarg’s natural snowfall is heavier and more reliable than Auli’s. In a good Kashmir winter — and the good ones are very good — the powder skiing on the upper Apharwat is among the finest in Asia. The off-piste terrain that opens up in a big snow year is what draws serious international skiers to Gulmarg repeatedly. Auli’s artificial snow system is good for maintaining the main run in lean years. It is not powder.
Longer ski holidays. Gulmarg justifies a week in a way that Auli does not quite sustain for an advanced skier. More terrain, more vertical, more variety across the mountain. Combined with time in Srinagar before or after, a week in Gulmarg is a complete and genuinely substantial ski holiday. Auli is better as a 3 to 4 day component of a larger Uttarakhand trip.
Those who want the international ski experience in India. Gulmarg attracts a small but growing community of international skiers and has a more developed ski culture — better instruction at the advanced level, guides for off-piste, a community of people who take skiing seriously. If you want to ski India’s most technically demanding terrain in the company of people who are there for the same reason, Gulmarg is the place.
Things not to do when choosing between Auli and Gulmarg…
Choose Gulmarg because it sounds more serious. Gulmarg is a more technically demanding mountain than Auli. For intermediate and advanced skiers this is an advantage. For beginners and first-timers it is the wrong mountain. The upper Apharwat at 13,400 feet is not a beginner environment. Choosing Gulmarg because it sounds more impressive and then finding yourself overwhelmed by the terrain and the altitude is a common enough pattern to be worth naming specifically. Know your level. Choose accordingly.
Choose Auli thinking it will do for an advanced skier. If you ski black runs confidently and want to push your skiing, Auli’s 500 metre vertical drop and intermediate-level terrain will feel limiting by day two. The views are extraordinary. The gondola is magnificent. The skiing, for an advanced skier, is not enough for more than 2 to 3 days. Go to Gulmarg if the skiing itself is the primary purpose and your level demands it.
Plan either destination without a buffer day for road or weather. Both Auli (via Joshimath) and Gulmarg (via Srinagar) involve mountain road sections that can be affected by snowfall and weather. Always build a buffer day into your itinerary — arriving one day before your planned ski days means a weather-related road delay does not eat into your skiing. This is mountain travel. The buffer is not optional.
OVERRATED
The comparison itself, for most Indian first-timers. The Auli vs Gulmarg debate is most relevant for intermediate to advanced skiers who are choosing between two technically different mountains. For someone who has never skied before, or for a family taking children to the snow for the first time, either resort will be extraordinary and the comparison is largely irrelevant. The question ‘which is better’ has a different answer depending entirely on what you came for. For a first ski experience: Auli. For a serious ski challenge: Gulmarg. For anything in between: depends on the specific details of your level, your timing, and your broader travel context.
Gulmarg in December. The Gulmarg gondola Phase 2 to Apharwat does not always operate in December — snow conditions need to be sufficient for the upper mountain to be safely accessible. December visitors to Gulmarg may find themselves skiing only the Phase 1 terrain, which is considerably less impressive. January and February are the months Gulmarg earns its reputation. Plan around those months.
The Verdict — Which One for You…
Choose Auli if: you are a beginner or intermediate skier · you are bringing family or children · you want to combine skiing with Badrinath, the Garhwal Himalayas, or the broader Uttarakhand experience · you want a simpler, more affordable, more straightforward ski holiday · you want Nanda Devi as your permanent backdrop · you are cautious about Kashmir travel.
Choose Gulmarg if: you are an intermediate to advanced skier who wants more terrain and more vertical · you are a powder skier who wants natural, deep Kashmir snowfall · you want a longer, more technically demanding ski holiday · you want to combine skiing with Srinagar and the Kashmir valley experience · you have already done Auli and want the next level.
Do both if: you have the time, the budget, and the appetite for two different versions of Himalayan skiing in the same winter season. They are not competing for the same experience. They are different mountains in different ranges serving different purposes. Both are worth having. The skier who has done both understands Indian mountain skiing in a way that neither destination alone provides.
Staying at Blackberry Cottages & Resort for Auli Skiing…
Blackberry Cottages & Resort is at Auli Laga, Joshimath — the closest property to the Auli cable car base station and the natural base for an Auli ski trip. We offer ski and stay packages for the 2026 winter season with accommodation, hot meals, early breakfast for ski departures, gondola pass guidance and equipment rental advice. Joshimath at 6,150 feet is the correct acclimatization altitude before skiing at 8,200 to 9,843 feet — a better night’s sleep than the slopes, and the gondola to Auli in 25 minutes whenever you are ready.
We also offer the full surrounding Uttarakhand context — Badrinath day trips, Gorson Bugyal walks, Valley of Flowers packages in summer — for visitors who want their Auli ski trip to be part of a larger Garhwal Himalayan experience. The skiing is one layer. Joshimath has considerably more underneath it.
Plan your Auli ski trip at blackberrycottagesauli.com or reach us on WhatsApp.
