France’s Chamonix to sign pact with Uttarakhand Government to develop Auli, Bedni as ski hot spots

The Uttrakhand Department of Tourism will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mayor of Chamonix Valley for developing Auli, Bedni Bugyal and Gorsaon (Chamoli), as a world-class winter ski destinations.

Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said the memorandum would be signed on Thursday by the Department of Tourism with the Mayor of Chamonix Valley in the presence of the French Ambassador.

The minister, who recently visited Chamonix Valley in France, said talks were also held with ropeway companies for installing these in Uttarakhand. “Representatives of the CMD Company were keen to take up the repair work of snow-making machine at Auli (Joshimath). Other companies such as Pomagalski and Cabrio, a Swiss company, have also shown interest in setting up the ropeway projects at Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib and Yamnotri,” he said. Significantly, the snow-making machine at Auli Ski Resort had developed a snag after the 2011 SAF Games.

The ropeway projects conceptualised several years ago in the state are still to see the light of day. Among them, the ropeway project between Mussoorie and Dehradun has also been hanging fire for the past several years. Now, the government has changed the realignment of the project. Similarly, the Kedarnath and Yamnotri ropeway projects are also being worked out.

The state government will also sign a memorandum of understanding with Cluster Montagne of France, which is engaged in developing technology for sustainable mountain tourism in September. The department will also work on preparing souvenirs based on the state’s history, said the minister.