Joshimath–Auli Ropeway: Is It Open? Current Status, Chair Lift & How to Reach Now

Status last verified: October 2026

Quick Answer: No, the Joshimath–Auli ropeway (cable car/gondola) is not open. It has been closed since January 2023, when land subsidence in Joshimath (Jyotirmath) caused cracks near the ropeway's tower area. The state has a proposal for a new, rebuilt ropeway, but no reopening date has been announced. You can still visit Auli: drive about 13–16 km by road from Joshimath, usually 45–60 minutes in normal conditions. The Auli chair lift inside Auli, near the GMVN ski resort, is a separate system that runs seasonally, mainly during the winter snow season, subject to weather and maintenance.

If you've searched "Is Auli ropeway open?" you've probably found conflicting answers. Some websites still list ticket prices and timings as if nothing changed. This guide clears that up: what's closed, what's working, what's planned, and exactly how to reach Auli and plan your trip around the closure.

It's written from the ground. SnazzyTrips is a Haldwani-based Uttarakhand DMC since 2003, trusted by 20,000+ families, covering 50+ destinations with 150+ verified local partners and a 4.6/5 average rating across verified traveller reviews. Our team plans Auli trips every winter and summer, and since the ropeway closed, we've rebuilt every itinerary around road access.

Joshimath–Auli Ropeway Status at a Glance

In one line: Auli is open, the road is open, the chair lift runs in season, but the long Joshimath–Auli cable car is not running.

Why Was the Joshimath–Auli Ropeway Closed?

The Joshimath–Auli ropeway was once one of Asia's longest cable car systems. It covered about 4 km in roughly 25 minutes, carried passengers in large cabins over 10 steel towers, and was operated by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). For decades, it was the most popular way to reach Auli and a major attraction in itself.

In early January 2023, Joshimath experienced serious land subsidence. Cracks appeared in hundreds of buildings, some hotels were dismantled, and several areas of the town were declared unsafe. Cracks also appeared near the ropeway platform and its first tower in Joshimath, so the administration suspended the service as a safety precaution.

Timeline

• January 2023: Ropeway suspended after cracks appear near the ropeway area during the Joshimath subsidence crisis.
• Following months: Construction and major projects in the area paused while authorities studied ground stability.
• Later: Technical teams surveyed the line from the lower station in Joshimath to the upper towers in Auli. Locals and tourism operators repeatedly pushed for the ropeway to be restored.
• Recent update: A detailed project report for a new, modern ropeway has been submitted to the state government. Reports through mid-2026 confirm the old ropeway still had not resumed.

Why hasn't it reopened yet?

Reopening a ropeway on ground that has shifted isn't a simple repair. Authorities need certainty that tower foundations, stations and the surrounding slope are stable for long-term operation. Rather than patching the old system, the state is now looking at a newly engineered ropeway designed for current ground conditions.

The New Joshimath–Auli Ropeway Plan

Instead of reopening the old system, the Uttarakhand government is considering a new ropeway. Here's what's been reported:

• Project report submitted: BRIDCUL, the state's bridge, ropeway and tunnel infrastructure agency, has submitted a detailed project report for a new ropeway, at an estimated cost of around 480 crore rupees.
• Two phases proposed:
  • Phase 1: A new Joshimath–Auli line with fresh towers and modern cable technology
  • Phase 2: An extension from Auli up towards Gorson Bugyal, the high meadow above Auli
• No opening date announced: The project still needs approvals, funding and construction, which takes years for any large mountain ropeway.

What this means for travellers: Plan every Auli trip assuming you'll use the road. If the ropeway reopens, treat it as a bonus.

SnazzyTrips Insight: Since the closure, the most common Auli complaint we hear from travellers who booked elsewhere is "We were told we'd take the cable car." Always ask your operator how you'll actually get from Joshimath to Auli. If they mention the ropeway without checking, their information is out of date.

Beware of Outdated Information Online

Many travel blogs, listing sites and even some booking pages still show:

• Ropeway ticket prices and timings
• "Book your Auli cable car online" links
• Itineraries with "ropeway ride to Auli" as a planned activity

Much of this was written before January 2023 and never updated. Some newer pages simply copied older content. Before you pay for any Auli package, check that the itinerary says "drive from Joshimath to Auli", not "ropeway ride to Auli". If a package includes a ropeway ride, ask exactly which ropeway it means.

Ropeway vs Chair Lift: What's the Difference?

Many travellers confuse these two. They are completely separate systems:

So when someone says "the Auli ropeway is closed but the chair lift is running," both statements can be true at the same time.

Auli Chair Lift: What You Need to Know

The Auli chair lift is now the main lift experience available to visitors.

• Location: Inside Auli, near the GMVN ski resort area
• Length: About 800 metres, connecting the lower slopes with the upper slopes near the Auli artificial lake
• Ride time: Around 5 minutes
• Seating: Open chairs that seat four people each
• Operator: GMVN
• Season: Mainly operates during the winter tourist and snow season (roughly December to March). It may run at other times, but it can pause for maintenance, strong winds or bad weather.
• Tickets: Usually bought at the counter in Auli. Fares can change, so check at the counter rather than relying on old online listings.

Is the chair lift worth it?

Yes, especially in winter. It takes you up to the main skiing area and gives a superb view across the slopes towards Nanda Devi and the surrounding peaks. For families and non-skiers, it's the easiest way to reach the upper slopes without a steep uphill walk in snow.

Tips for the chair lift:

• Go in the morning, when skies are usually clearer and winds calmer.
• Dress warmly; open chairs feel much colder than they look.
• Carry gloves and keep phones secured.
• Young children should sit between adults.

SnazzyTrips Recommends: In peak winter weeks, especially around Christmas, New Year and any ski festival, visit the chair lift early in the day. Queues build up by late morning, and afternoon winds can pause operations.

How to Reach Auli Now (Without the Ropeway)

With the ropeway closed, the road is the main way to reach Auli. Here's the full route.

Step 1: Reach Joshimath (Jyotirmath)

Joshimath is the gateway town for Auli, Badrinath, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. It sits on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway.

Approximate road distances and times to Joshimath:

Times vary with traffic, road works and weather, especially in the monsoon.

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (about 270 km from Joshimath)
Nearest railheads: Rishikesh and Haridwar

Most travellers break the journey with an overnight halt at Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag or Srinagar (Garhwal), so they don't arrive in the dark. For travellers coming from Delhi, an Auli package from Delhi usually builds this halt in. If you're arriving by train, an Auli trip from Haridwar is the most direct starting point.

Step 2: Joshimath to Auli by road

• Distance: About 13–16 km, depending on where you start in Joshimath and where your hotel is in Auli
• Time: Around 45–60 minutes in normal conditions; longer in snow or frost
• Road type: Narrow, winding mountain road with hairpin bends

Your options:

1. Private cab from your trip start (most comfortable; same vehicle and driver throughout)
2. Local taxi from Joshimath (available from town; fares are set locally)
3. Shared jeep (limited, less predictable, especially in winter)

For families and groups, a private SUV is the safest choice on this road, particularly in winter. For a fuller comparison of options, see our guide on choosing between a private cab and shared jeeps.

Step 3: Plan for winter road conditions

The ropeway used to be the backup when snow blocked the road. Without it, winter travel needs more care:

• Frost and black ice form on shaded bends, especially on the upper stretches near Auli. Authorities have reported congestion near spots such as Sunil village, the TV Tower area and Kichad Bend after snowfall.
• Snow chains or 4x4 vehicles may be needed after heavy snowfall.
• Temporary entry restrictions: During heavy snowfall or avalanche alerts, the administration has sometimes stopped tourists at Joshimath until conditions improve.
• Daylight only: Avoid driving this road after dark in winter.

Without the ropeway, staying in Auli itself (rather than Joshimath) saves you this drive every day and puts you right on the slopes. When comparing hotels, check road access too; our guide on how to pick a hotel with reliable road access explains what to ask.

SnazzyTrips Traveller Data: Since the ropeway closure, travellers in our Auli groups who stay up in Auli rather than in Joshimath consistently get more slope time and fewer weather-related delays in peak snow weeks. For winter trips, we now recommend Auli stays by default whenever rooms are available.

Does the Ropeway Closure Spoil an Auli Trip?

No. The ropeway was a wonderful ride, but it was never Auli's main attraction. Here's what's still fully available:

• Skiing and snowboarding: Auli's slopes remain open in the snow season, with ski courses and equipment hire available.
• Chair lift rides: Seasonal access to the upper slopes.
• Nanda Devi views: Auli offers one of the finest panoramas of Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dronagiri.
• Gorson Bugyal trek: A beautiful meadow walk of about 3 km one way from Auli through oak and conifer forest.
• Auli artificial lake: One of the highest man-made lakes in the region, used for snow-making.
• Kwani Bugyal and other treks: For more experienced trekkers.
• Snow play: Sledging and snowman-building for families in winter.
• Summer meadows: In April to June, Auli turns green and makes a lovely cool escape.

You can still enjoy all of this on well-planned Auli tour packages, which are now built around road transfers and Auli-based stays.

Best Time to Visit Auli Now

• December to March (Snow season): Best for skiing, snowfall and chair lift rides. Expect cold temperatures, possible road disruptions and limited hotel availability during peak weeks. Look at Uttarakhand winter and snowfall trips if snow is your main goal, and remember that snowfall on specific dates is never guaranteed.
• April to June (Spring/Summer): Green meadows, clear views and pleasant weather. A great time to combine Auli with Badrinath or other Garhwal destinations.
• July to September (Monsoon): Landslides and road closures on the Rishikesh–Joshimath highway are common. Best avoided unless you're combining Auli with the Valley of Flowers bloom; an Auli with Valley of Flowers trip suits travellers who still want to go in this window, with buffer days.
• October to November (Autumn): Crisp, clear skies and excellent mountain views; quieter before the snow season.

Combining Auli with Other Destinations

Auli is a long drive from the plains, so most travellers combine it with nearby places:

• Badrinath: About 45 km beyond Joshimath. In the yatra season (roughly May to October/November), many pilgrims add a day in Auli. If that's your plan, look at Badrinath and Char Dham itineraries that already pass through Joshimath.
• Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib: Reached via Govindghat, close to Joshimath; best from July to September.
• Chopta–Tungnath: Another excellent snow destination in winter. If Auli is full or roads are disrupted, Chopta–Tungnath makes a good alternative or add-on.
• Rishikesh: A natural first or last stop on the way to or from Auli.

Planning an Auli Trip from Other Cities

Travellers from farther away usually fly to Dehradun, or to Delhi and then drive, then spend at least 5–6 days in total to make the long road journey worthwhile:

• From western India, an Auli tour from Mumbai or an Auli snow tour from Ahmedabad typically connects via Delhi or Dehradun.
• From the south, an Auli holiday from Bangalore usually involves a flight to Dehradun and a road journey with one overnight halt.

Whichever city you start from, the Joshimath–Auli leg will now always be by road.

How to Check the Ropeway Status Before You Travel

Because the situation may change, always verify close to your travel date:

1. GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam): The operator of both the ropeway and chair lift
2. Chamoli district administration updates: For road conditions, snowfall alerts and any tourist entry restrictions
3. Your hotel in Auli or Joshimath: Local staff know same-day conditions
4. Your tour operator: A local operator in touch with drivers on the route can give real-time updates

If you're comparing operators for an Auli trip, read what to expect from a local Uttarakhand tour operator, and watch for the red flags when picking a travel company, such as itineraries that still promise a ropeway ride.

SnazzyTrips Insight: As a Haldwani-based Uttarakhand tour operator working with local drivers and hotels on the Joshimath–Auli route, our team checks road and chair lift conditions before every winter departure. If the ropeway reopens, we'll update our itineraries, and this article, right away.

Auli Trip Checklist (Ropeway Closed)

Ready to go? You can plan your Auli trip with road transfers, Auli-based stays and seasonal activities already built in, or explore other Uttarakhand trips across Garhwal and Kumaon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway open now?
No. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023 because of land subsidence in Joshimath, and it had not reopened as of the latest reports. A new ropeway has been proposed, but no reopening date has been announced. Visitors currently reach Auli by road from Joshimath.

Why is the Auli ropeway closed?
It was suspended for safety reasons after land subsidence in Joshimath caused cracks in buildings and near the ropeway's lower tower area. Authorities have surveyed the line since then, and the state is now considering building a new, modern ropeway instead of reopening the old one.

Is the Auli chair lift working?
The Auli chair lift is a separate, shorter lift inside Auli, near the GMVN ski resort. It mainly operates during the winter snow season, roughly December to March, and may pause for maintenance or bad weather. Check its status on arrival.

What is the difference between the Auli ropeway and the Auli chair lift?
The ropeway is a large cable car that ran about 4 km from Joshimath up to Auli in around 25 minutes; it is currently closed. The chair lift is an open lift of about 800 metres inside Auli that takes visitors from the lower slopes to the upper ski area in about 5 minutes.

How do I reach Auli without the ropeway?
Drive from Joshimath to Auli by road, a distance of about 13–16 km that usually takes 45–60 minutes. You can use a private cab, a local taxi from Joshimath or, less reliably, a shared jeep. In winter, snow and frost can slow or temporarily stop traffic.

How far is Auli from Joshimath by road?
Auli is about 13–16 km from Joshimath by road, depending on your starting point in town and your hotel's location in Auli. The drive takes around 45 minutes to an hour in normal conditions.

When will the new Joshimath–Auli ropeway open?
No official opening date has been announced. A detailed project report of around 480 crore rupees has been submitted to the state government, proposing a new Joshimath–Auli line and a later extension towards Gorson Bugyal. Large ropeway projects usually take several years to approve and build.

Is it safe to visit Auli after the Joshimath subsidence?
Yes. Auli continues to receive tourists, and hotels, ski slopes and the chair lift operate seasonally. The subsidence mainly affected parts of Joshimath town. Follow local administration advisories, especially during heavy snowfall or avalanche alerts, when tourist entry is sometimes temporarily restricted.

Should I stay in Auli or Joshimath now that the ropeway is closed?
In winter, staying in Auli is usually better because you avoid the daily drive on snowy, icy roads and are right next to the slopes. In other seasons, Joshimath can work well, especially if you're combining Auli with Badrinath or Valley of Flowers.

Why plan an Auli trip with SnazzyTrips?
SnazzyTrips is a Haldwani-based Uttarakhand DMC operating since 2003, trusted by 20,000+ families across 50+ destinations. With 150+ verified local partners and a 4.6/5 average rating across verified traveller reviews, the team plans Auli trips around current road access, Auli-based stays and seasonal conditions, rather than outdated ropeway itineraries.

Final Word

The Joshimath–Auli ropeway is closed, but Auli is very much open. Plan your trip around the road from Joshimath, stay in Auli during snow season, use the chair lift for the upper slopes, and keep a buffer day for winter weather. If and when the new ropeway opens, it will be a great addition, but your Auli holiday doesn't need to wait for it.