Auli vs Gulmarg – Best Ski Destination in India

This article will compare Auli and Gulmarg in detail – covering slopes, snow quality, resorts, price, beginner-friendliness, infrastructure, and more.

Let’s find out which is the best skiing resort in India!

🏔️ Location & Altitude

📍Auli – Uttarakhand

• Located in Chamoli district, Garhwal Himalayas

• Altitude: 2,500 to 3,050 metres

• Surrounded by Nanda Devi, Hathi-Ghoda, Trishul and Mana Parvat

📍Gulmarg – Jammu & Kashmir

• Located in Baramulla district, Kashmir Valley

• Altitude: 2,650 to 3,950 metres

• Surrounded by Apharwat Peak, Pir Panjal Range

👉 Verdict: Gulmarg is higher, which gives longer slopes. But Auli’s altitude is perfect for both pros and beginners.

If you want to explore more about Gulmarg in deep detail, then you should surely visit me article on this.

GULMARG – Weather, Temperature, Best Places, Best Time To Visit.

❄️ Snow Quality & Ski Season

Auli

• Snow season: Late December to March

• Gets powdery snow – ideal for skiing

• Snow is maintained by artificial snow machines also

Gulmarg

• Snow season: Early December to late March

• Gets heavy snowfall

• Perfect for freestyle and off-piste skiing

👉 Verdict: Gulmarg wins in terms of snowfall quantity, but Auli offers stable snow quality even when there is less natural snow.

🛖 Ski Resorts & Stay

🏨 Auli – GMVN Ski Resort

• Managed by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) – a govt-run resort

• Ski-in, ski-out facility

• Rooms, dormitories, hot water, heaters

• Basic but clean and scenic

• Affordable prices

👉 You can read our full article here:
Auli Skiing Package – A Detailed Guide

🏨 Gulmarg – High-end Resorts

• Many luxury hotels, resorts, and guesthouses

• Options like Khyber Himalayan Resort offer 5-star luxury

• Better nightlife, more cafes and restaurants

👉 Verdict: Gulmarg has more luxurious options, but Auli’s GMVN resort is perfect for budget travellers, students, and serious learners.

🛷 Beginner-Friendly?

Auli

• Ideal for first-timers and beginners

• Slope is gentle (10-20°) and safe

• Good instructors, many skiing schools

• GMVN and private trainers offer basic and advanced training

Gulmarg

• Slopes are steep and long

• Mostly suited for intermediate and expert skiers

• Skiing area is very large, may feel overwhelming to beginners

👉 Verdict: Auli is better for learning skiing. Gulmarg is better for freeride and experienced skiers.

🚠 Cable Car & Lift Facility

Auli

• Has Asia’s longest ropeway (Joshimath to Auli) – 4.2 km

• Also has ski-lift and chair-lift

• Operated by GMVN

Gulmarg

• Home to Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world

• Two phases – up to Apharwat peak

• Excellent for backcountry access

👉 Verdict: Gulmarg has a better gondola, but Auli’s ropeway offers great value and views too.

🧑‍🏫 Ski Instructors & Training

Auli

• GMVN offers government-certified ski courses

• Private instructors like Mr. Kuldeep Bangari (NIM Certified) also available

• Affordable rates and student-friendly environment

📱 Call Kuldeep Ji at: +91 8433263060
He offers skiing, zipline, hiking, mountain biking, and camping.

Gulmarg

• Many professional ski instructors available

• International trainers also teach here

• Costlier than Auli

👉 Verdict: Both offer good instructors, but Auli is more budget-friendly and has a structured training environment.

💸 Cost of Skiing

👉 Verdict: Auli is much cheaper and more suited for families, students, and beginners.

🏞️ Crowd, Ambience & Vibe

• Auli is peaceful, clean, eco-friendly, and spiritual (near Badrinath)

• Gulmarg is lively, touristy, and slightly crowded in peak season

• Gulmarg has a more European ski-town vibe, while Auli feels more raw and Himalayan

📶 Connectivity & Safety

• Auli has better road connectivity from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun

• Gulmarg is connected from Srinagar, but snowfall or unrest may sometimes affect access

• Auli is safer and more peaceful

🎯 Final Verdict – Which One to Choose?

🏁 Conclusion

So, who wins in Auli vs Gulmarg? The answer depends on what you’re looking for.

• If you are a beginner, want affordable packages, and love the calm Himalayan experience – then Auli is the best skiing resort in India.

• But if you are an expert skier, want more thrill, and don’t mind the price – then Gulmarg might suit you better.

Both are gems in the Indian Himalayas – but for most Indians and international beginners, Auli (with GMVN Ski Resort) is the best place to start skiing in India.

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