A considerable number of tourists reached the snow-covered Auli on the occasion of Christmas a few days after snowfall in the area. This popular winter sports destination attracted a rush of tourists on Friday with all the tickets for the ropeway from Joshimath to Auli being sold out for the day.
After the recent snowfall on Wednesday, the snow-clad slopes of Auli attracted visitors all the more due to the sunny days being experienced here. However, on Friday, a number of tourists had to turn back disappointed after staff at the ropeway ticket counter put up the “booking full” signboard. While such visitors had to turn back, the tourists who reached Auli were seen enjoying the snow with skiing and other activities
Talking to The Pioneer, the manager of the ropeway, Dinesh Bhatt informed that such was the rush of tourists wanting to visit Auli by the ropeway on Friday that the ropeway tickets were sold out soon in the morning. There has been a rise in the number of tourists arriving here especially as the region has been experiencing bright and sunny days since the snowfall on Wednesday.
The visitors unable to procure ropeway tickets were being advised to reach Auli by the motor road but the frost covering the Auli-Joshimath road is making it difficult for vehicle owners to drive to Auli.
Some of those who were unable to buy ropeway tickets and then unable to drive to Auli were seen taking the third option- walking a distance of about two kilometers to the tourist destination.
According to the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which facilitates tourism to Auli, the destination is located at an altitude of 2,500 to 3,050 metres above sea level with Auli’s well-dressed slopes flanked by coniferous and oak forests also offer a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
In addition to skiing, visitors reaching the destination Auli on a clear day also enjoy the 180-degree view of Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi (7817 metres), Kamet (7756 metres), Mana Parvat (7273 metres) and Dunagiri (7066 metres).
The timing of the snowfall followed by sunny days attracting tourists to Auli has come as a welcome development for those locals who are working in the tourism, hospitality and related trades.