Things to see and do at Auli - 2

Auli is not for the meek-hearted or the lazy. But apart from the exhilaration of the successful downhill run, there are also other magical moments like watching the dawn break behind Nanda Devi; struggling to describe to oneself the exact shade of the indescribable, pale blue in the hole in the snow left behind by your boot; watching the sky open up its bounty at night, and the snowflakes floating gently, soundlessly to earth. All is peace, all is beauty. Yes, Auli can be balm to a city-wearied heart.

Learning to ski:

Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam offers 7-days non-certificate and 14-days certificate courses for beginners from January to March every year. Alternatively, you could learn privately from the freelance instructors hanging about the slopes. If you are staying at Cliff Top Club Resort and are short on time, try their instructors. The Rs. 500/- for equipment and instruction, plus the Rs. 200/- tip, was reasonable, considering the progress I made in one day.

Fees for the courses include board, lodging (shared accommodation), ski equipment, lift and training. Economy and regular categories will be accommodated at GMVN Auli, and deluxe at the Cliff Top Club Resort with buffet meals. You can also opt for per day charges if you don not wish to enroll in the course.

PER DAY FEES Skies adults Rs. 200-250, children Rs. 150-200; lessons Rs. 125-175; gloves Rs. 150; goggles Rs. 50. The range indicates half and full-day fees.

7 DAYS COURSE FEE Indians Rs. 4,000 (economy), Rs. 11,000 (regular) and Rs. 14,000 (deluxe); foreigners Rs. 5,100 (economy), Rs. 20,000 (regular) and Rs. 25, 000 (deluxe)

14 DAYS COURSE FEES Indians Rs. 7,900 (economy), Rs, 22,000 (regular) and Rs. 27,000 (deluxe); foreigners Rs. 10,000 (economy), Rs. 40,000 (regular), Rs. 50,000 (deluxe).

NOTE: Course rates for Indian couples are the same as for one foreigner.

Joshimath:

The great sage Adi Shankaracharya is supposed to have wandered into Joshimath and gained enlightenment here. Alas, it is hard to imagine this treeless town on the highway to the holler sites of Hanuman Chatti and Badrinath as a spiritual seat of any importance. Still, check out the Narsingh and Garuda temples, the Shankaracharya Math, and the amar kalp tree, believed to be over 2,5000 years old. Drive down to the hot springs of Tapovan, just 14 km away.

What in it for kids:

Take the kids along and bung a pair of skis on their little feet and watch them fly after the initial hesitation. If they tire of the concentrated activity, then leave them to their own devices after making sure they are warmly clad. After all, it is not every day that one can make snowmen and snow castles in the tropics.

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