No, the Auli ropeway is not open. The Joshimath (Jyotirmath)–Auli ropeway has been closed since 5 January 2023, and as of October 2026 no reopening date has been announced. You can still reach Auli easily by road. It's about 14–16 km from Joshimath and takes 45 minutes to an hour by taxi.
The Auli ropeway is the question our travellers ask about most. That's no surprise: many websites still show ticket prices and timings as if it were running normally. People plan their day around it, reach Joshimath, and find the gates shut.
This page gives you the real status, explains why it closed, and shows you the simplest way to get to Auli today. We run trips to Auli from Haridwar every season, and our Auli Chopta tour package already uses the road route, so the closure doesn't affect your plans.
Auli ropeway status at a glance
| Service | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Joshimath–Auli ropeway (gondola) | Closed since 5 January 2023 |
| Joshimath–Auli road | Open; can close for a few hours after heavy snow |
| New ropeway project | Planning stage (detailed project report) |
| Auli ski slopes | Open in season, reached by road |
We update this table every month during the season. Check the "Updated" date at the top.
What was the Auli ropeway?
The Auli ropeway, often called the Auli gondola or cable car, opened in the 1990s. It ran about 4.15 km from Joshimath town up to Auli, carried by 10 towers. For years it was one of the longest cable cars in Asia, and the ride was a highlight of any Auli trip, with Nanda Devi, Trishul and the Dronagiri range in view the whole way.
It was also practical. In winter, when snow made the road slippery, the ropeway was the easiest way up. It was run by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), the Uttarakhand government's tourism corporation.
Why the Auli ropeway closed
In early January 2023, parts of Joshimath began to sink. Cracks appeared in homes, roads and hotels across the town. This is known as land subsidence.
Cracks also showed up near tower number 1 of the ropeway, at the Joshimath end. On 5 January 2023, operations were stopped for public safety.
This was a safety decision, not routine maintenance. Before the ropeway can run again, engineers have to confirm that the ground and structures are safe. That's why it has stayed shut for so long.
What has happened since 2023
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Local news reported the ropeway was still not running after three years. GMVN's losses were put at about ₹10 crore. |
| January 2026 | A joint team from the State Tourism department, BRIDCUL, GMVN and the local administration inspected the line from tower 1 to tower 10. Its report went to the state government. |
| December 2025 | The state listed a Joshimath–Auli–Gaurson ropeway corridor among priority projects, with project-report work under way. |
| October 2025 | Reports said the ropeway might resume that winter. It did not. |
| April 2025 | Local businesses said winter tourism had improved but repeated their call for the ropeway to restart. |
| October 2023 | Still closed nine months on. Visitors reached Auli by road. |
| 5 January 2023 | Operations stopped after land subsidence near tower 1. |
Will the Auli ropeway reopen?
There's no official date. Two things are being discussed. The first is whether the existing line can be repaired and restarted; that's what the January 2026 inspection looked at. The second is a brand-new ropeway corridor from Joshimath to Auli and on to Gurson Bugyal, which is still in planning.
New ropeways take years to build, so don't expect it on your next trip. As soon as there's an official announcement, we'll update this page.
Gondola vs chair lift: they're not the same
Many travel blogs mix these up, which causes a lot of confusion.
- The Joshimath–Auli ropeway (gondola): the long-enclosed cable car from Joshimath town up to Auli. This is the one that is closed.
- The Auli chair lift (chair car): a short open chair lift inside Auli, near the GMVN complex. It carries visitors from the lower slopes to the upper ski area near the artificial lake. Before 2023, a return ride cost about ₹500. Ask at the GMVN counter in Auli whether it's running on your dates.
If you see a 2026 "Auli ropeway ticket" price of around ₹1,000, it's an old figure for the gondola, copied from before the closure.
How to reach Auli without the ropeway
- Get to Joshimath. From Haridwar, it's about 270–280 km via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag. Allow 9–10 hours by car. If you're coming from Chopta, it's about 110–120 km via Gopeshwar; see our Chopta to Auli route guide.
- Drive up to Auli. The road from Joshimath is about 14–16 km of steep hairpin bends. A local taxi takes 45 minutes to an hour.
- Stay in Auli in peak snow season. Heavy snow can close the upper road for a few hours, sometimes a day. Staying on the slopes means you're not stuck in Joshimath.
Tips for reaching Auli in winter
- Travel after 9 AM. Shaded bends freeze overnight. By mid-morning, the ice softens and the road is safer.
- Use a local driver. Drivers who work this road every day know where it ices up and when to fit snow chains.
- Keep a spare day in January and February. If the road closes, you won't miss your train or flight.
- Carry cash. Joshimath has ATMs; Auli has very few, and the network can drop.
- Dress warm in the car. Heaters help, but the wait at a snow-cleared stretch can be cold.
Does the closure change your Auli Chopta trip?
Very little. You miss the cable-car views, but you skip the ticket queue and save time. On our 5-day Auli Chopta itinerary, we drive straight up and use the extra time for the walk to Gurson Bugyal. It also takes one cost off your budget; see the full Auli Chopta trip cost.
Make the most of Auli without the ropeway
The big views are still there; you just get them on foot instead of from a cabin.
- Gurson Bugyal: an easy 3 km forest walk from the slopes to a wide meadow facing Nanda Devi. Chattrakund lake is about 1 km further.
- The ski slopes: in season, try a beginner lesson. Read our skiing in Auli guide.
- Sunrise from the slopes: in October and November, Nanda Devi turns gold at first light. Read the best time to visit Auli Chopta.
Planning the whole trip? Start with our Auli Chopta travel guide.
Plan your Auli trip with us
Our Auli Chopta trip from Haridwar includes road transfers all the way to Auli, so you never depend on the ropeway. Call or WhatsApp +91-90459-16670, +91-78307-18687 with your dates.
Sources
- Pioneer Edge: ropeway still not functioning (June 2026)
- Pioneer Edge: joint team inspects ropeway (January 2026)
- Swarajya: Uttarakhand ropeway corridors incl. Joshimath–Auli–Gaurson (December 2025)
- The Week (PTI): Auli winter tourism and ropeway demand (April 2025)
- Pioneer Edge: still closed after nine months (October 2023)
