This is probably one of India's best skiing destinations and has become popular ever since Kashmir has become a dodgy place to visit. The beautiful ski slopes covered in powdery white snow are at a height of 10,000 ft and the little town of Auli is surrounded by dense oak and deodar forests. It takes a long drive past Rudryaprayag and Joshimath to reach Auli, but once you are there, it really seems worth the while.

The Uttaranchal tourism department has done its best to develop this place as a ski resort. There is a cable car that takes you to the snow covered area, and smaller chair lifts to take you up to the individual ski slopes. You can enrol for 7-day and 14-day skiing courses, or of course experience the pleasures for a few hours.

Auli has several comfortable resorts to stay at, and in between your skiing, you can go for lovely walks in the woods and marvel at the views of the magnificent Nanda Devi. These forests are also a birdwatcher's paradise.