Auli, nestled 16 km from Joshimath in Uttarakhand, recently witnessed a dusting of fresh snow, but the joyous sight has failed to bring cheer to this renowned Himalayan ski resort. Facing consecutive years of no significant snowfall, Auli struggles to keep its skiing activities afloat, impacting tourism and adventure-related businesses in the region.
Dry Spell Dampens Skiing Enthusiasm in Auli: Auli, standing tall as one of the highest winter sports resorts globally, boasts a 3 km slope ranging from 2,519 to 3,049 meters. Known for its exceptional skiing and winter sports facilities, Auli’s charm has dwindled due to the absence of substantial snowfall in recent years. Despite the recent light snowfall, the meteorological department offers little hope for sustained winter activities.
Tourist Businesses in Distress: Local businesses, especially hoteliers, are bearing the brunt of the dry spell. Arvind Shah, a hotelier in Auli, expressed his dismay, highlighting the adverse effects on skiing and adventure enthusiasts. Continuous losses over the past years, coupled with the recent dry winter, have resulted in tourists cutting short their bookings, intensifying the economic strain on the region.
Calls for Government Intervention: Nagendra Saklani, proprietor of “Blue Poppy” hotel in Auli, echoed the concerns about low tourist footfall. He emphasized that skiing, one of the primary attractions, remains elusive due to barren slopes. Entrepreneurs are urging government intervention to address the challenges posed by the lack of snowfall.
Technical Hurdles with Snow-Making Machines: The tourism department asserts that artificial snow-making machines are operational but face technical challenges. Sobat Singh Rana, District Tourism Officer Chamoli, explained that the machines, handed over to Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), lack technical expertise for proper functioning. Insufficient technical support hampers the effectiveness of these machines, contributing to the decline in skiing activities.
National Winter Games Cancelled Multiple Times: Auli, a regular host for the National Winter Games, has faced cancellations due to inadequate snowfall. In 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2023, the prestigious games had to be called off, underscoring the severity of the snow scarcity issue.
No Immediate Relief in Sight: The Meteorological Department provides a bleak outlook, stating no possibility of significant snowfall in the next 10 days. With skiing activities usually sustained until February, the lack of snowfall casts shadows over the hopes of the skiing community in Auli.
