Set out early from Dehradun (recommend departure by 6:00 AM) and enjoy the scenic drive through Mussoorie Road and the Ghats; stop for breakfast at a roadside dhaba near Rishikesh or Srinagar for piping-hot parathas and tea. Arrive in Joshimath by late morning, check in, and visit the Narsingh Temple and local market to stretch your legs and pick up any last-minute winter gear from a shop like Adventure Auli Sports before the final ascent.
After a hearty lunch in Joshimath (try local Kumaoni dishes at a guesthouse or the Om Cafe), take the picturesque Auli ropeway up to the ski meadows — the cable car ride gives sweeping views of the Nanda Devi and Trishul ranges. Once in Auli, complete hotel check-in, get fitted for basic ski or snowboard gear at the onsite rental (e.g., Auli Ski & Snowboard School), and take an orientation walk across the snowfields to familiarize yourself with slopes, ski lifts, and meeting points for the next day.
As dusk falls, warm up with a cup of masala chai at your lodge and attend a brief safety and skills briefing led by your instructor to go over tomorrow’s full-day snow-sports plan. Enjoy a relaxed dinner — perhaps a thali with local mountain specialties — then soak in the night view of the Himalayan silhouettes and rest early to be ready for a full day of skiing and snowboarding tomorrow.
Rise early after last night’s briefing and take the short walk or hotel shuttle to the Auli ropeway station for a sunrise cable-car ride back up to the main ski meadows; the golden light on Nanda Devi and Trishul makes for unforgettable photos. Meet your instructors from Auli Ski & Snowboard School at the base, get fitted with boots and skis or a snowboard, and spend the morning on gentle runs—perfect for guided beginner lessons or warm-up laps on the nursery slopes near the Hebron peak chairlift.
After a hot lunch at the Auli cafeteria or the Cliff Top Café, tackle longer intermediate runs and try a guided snowboarding session or parallel-ski coaching with an instructor who will take you toward the famous Auli slopes and wide-open alpine bowls. For a change of pace, take short ropeway hops to Joshimath for panoramic views, visit the nearby Gurso Bugyal if conditions allow, or join a heli-sightseeing option (pre-booked) for a bird’s-eye view of the Himalayan crest.
Return to your lodge before dusk to defrost with masala chai and review the day’s photos with your guide, then enjoy a hearty Kumaoni dinner—think dal, bhatt, and rotis—at your hotel or a cozy eatery like the Auli Resort dining room. If energy remains, attend an informal après-ski chat or bonfire organized by local operators to swap tips about tomorrow’s snow-trek and ice-climb, then rest early for the next day’s adventures.
Start early with a guided snow-trek from Auli’s ski meadows toward Gurso Bugyal or the Hebron ridge, following a certified mountain guide who will point out footprints, alpine flora under the snow and give short navigation tips; the crisp morning light on Nanda Devi makes this a photographer’s dream. Finish the trek back at the Auli base where your ice-climbing instructor from Auli Adventure or a local outfitter will fit you with crampons and harnesses for a short introductory climb on a secured frozen wall near the training pitches.
After a warming lunch in Joshimath—try the local thali at a trusted spot like Om Cafe or your guesthouse—head to the supervised ice-climbing session where you’ll practice basic techniques (front-pointing, ice-axe placements) on easy routes under instructor supervision, then take the Auli ropeway down for final panoramic views of the Trishul and Nanda Devi ranges. If weather and time permit, stop by Narsingh Temple or the Joshimath market to pick up any last souvenirs and pay respects before departing.
Begin the drive back to Dehradun in the late afternoon, using the descent time to relax and review photos and notes from your snow adventures while watching the Himalayan silhouettes fade; plan a short tea stop en route at a roadside dhaba near Srinagar for local snacks and garam chai. Arrive in Dehradun by evening (traffic permitting), end the trip with a final group debrief over dinner at a city restaurant or back at your hotel, and reflect on the three action-packed days of skiing, boarding, trekking and ice-climbing.