PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 29, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest officially ended on Thursday, November 29 with one inch of measurable snow at the Tramway’s Mountain Station as of 1:27 p.m.

The first ten contestants who submitted the correct date are:

1. Mike Southard of Palm Desert
2. Richard Namey of Desert Hot Springs
3. Carolyn Kirner-Schmidt of San Diego
4. Brenda Siddon of Desert Hot Springs
5. Alison Elsner of Palm Springs
6. Marie Montenegro of Palm Springs
7. David Slack of Palm Springs
8. Martina Jimenez of Hemet
9. Rick Bauer of Herald
10. Phillip Merriam of Highland

The winners will receive four Tramway admissions plus a Tramway snow globe. The contest began October 1 and 773 entries were received.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 27, 2018) California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. has announced three new appointments to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, the governing board of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Brian Conley, 69, of Big Bear Lake, has been president and chief executive officer at Community College Connections since 2012.  He was department chair/professor at Golden West College from 1975 to 2012.  He was also an elected trustee/board president at Rancho Santiago Community College District from 1988 to 2012.  He served on the California Student Aid Commission from 2010 to 2015, California Board of Governors of California Community Colleges from 2000 to 2004.  Conley was also California state chair of the Association of Community College Trustees from 2009 to 2012. He was an aide to U.S. Congressman Jerome R. Waldie from 1972 to 1974.  He is a member of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges and a lifetime member of the Association of Community College Trustees. Conley earned a Master of Arts degree in fine arts and education from California State University, Fresno and has done advanced studies at UCLA and Pepperdine University.

“I am very honored to be appointed to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority by Governor Brown,” says Conley.  “I look forward in using my background in public policy, institution management and budget to make the Tramway the best it can be.”

Sandra Magana Cuellar, 47, of Corona, has been director of government affairs at Charter Communications since 2000. She was project director at Hispanas Organized for Political Equality from 1997 to 2000, project coordinator at the Contreras-Sweet Company in 1997 and an intern at Consensus Planning Group from 1996 to 1997. Cuellar was an assistant account executive at Oralia Michel Public Relations from 1995 to 1996 and assistant tour publicist at Levine-Schneider Public Relations from 1994 to 1995. She was a member of the California Respiratory Board from 2006 to 2013 and is a member of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership Board of Directors, National Latina Business Women Association of the Inland Empire Board of Directors, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Board of Directors and Inland Action Board of Directors. Cuellar earned a Master of Arts degree in communication management from the University of Southern California.

“It is an honor to have been appointed to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority,” says Cuellar. “I look forward to ensuring this signature attraction continues to add to the unique and vibrant Palm Springs culture.”

Jeff Ohlfs, 56, of Twentynine Palms, has held several positions at Joshua Tree National Park from 1990 to 2016, including chief park ranger, district park ranger and park ranger. He has worked in parks at the local, county, state, national, and international level. Ohlfs is a member of the World Commission on Protected Areas, International Association of Chiefs of Police Environmental Crimes Committee, Ranger Federation, California State Park Rangers Association, Park Rangers Association of California, Twentynine Palms Historical Society, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Morongo Basin Search & Rescue Team, and the Boy Scouts of America.

“The Authority is unique amongst the over 700 park entities in California and I look forward to continuing to make it the premier destination in Southern California,” says Ohlfs. “The Tram holds a special place for me as it was one of the first dates with my wife. And we both look forward to the Tram’s holiday festivities.”

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We welcome—and congratulate—our new board members and sincerely thank departing members Jan Oliphant and Jon Sheinberg for their many years of service to the Authority and Tramway.”

The other four Authority members are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart, appointed by the Palm Springs City Council, and Bary Freet and Brian Nestande, appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 11, 2018) Santa visits the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Saturday, December 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free candy canes and photo opportunities for the kids bring another dose of Yuletide merriment to all who visit the Tramway’s Mountain Station.

Then, on Sunday, December 16 is the inaugural Brunch with Santa. Starting at 10:30 a.m., join Ol’ St. Nick for crafts, holiday treats and a delicious meal in an alpine setting. Tickets are $36 for adults and seniors, and $23.50 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is included. Advanced tickets are required by calling 760-325-1449.

On December 25, 2018 and January 1, 2019, Ride ’n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—are available for purchase beginning at 8:00 a.m. (rather than the usual 4:00 p.m.) Dinner service begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. Combination tickets are $36 for adults and seniors, and $23.50 for children (ages 3-10).

Peaks Restaurant serves their regular lunch and dinner menus along with a special prix fixe holiday menu beginning at 11:00 a.m. on December 25, 2018 and January 1, 2019. Reservations are recommended and may be made by either calling 760-325-4537 or via Open Table on the Tram’s website (www.pstramway.com/dining).

The Tramway operates a special schedule from December 17, 2018 through January 1, 2019. The first tram up each day is at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up is at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram down is at 9:45 p.m.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 6, 2018) On November 30, a decades-long tradition resumes when holiday choir season commences at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 14, a different middle or high school choir performs holiday favorites at the Tramway’s Mountain Station.

For the 2018 holiday season, the Tramway is proud to present the following line-up:

• Friday, November 30 – Indio High School Choir
• Saturday December 1 – Desert Ridge Academy Concert Choir
• Sunday, December 2 – Palm Springs High School Madrigals & String Quartet
• Friday, December 7 – Jurupa Valley High School Chamber Singers
• Saturday, December 8 – Martin Luther King High School Chamber Singers & Show Choir
• Sunday, December 9 – Encore High School for the Arts Madrigals
• Friday, December 14 – The Lions’ Pride Chamber Singers (Cathedral City H.S.)

According to Martin Luther King High School Choir Director Brian Holm, “Our Chamber Singers have performed annually at the top of the Tramway for over a decade, not only to the delight our performers but—apparently—to Tram audiences as well! In fact, I remember singing here as part of my own high school choir.  Everyone is glad to be continuing this long-standing holiday tradition.”

Show times are 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and are complimentary with regular Tram admission. Performances are on the Pines Café Stage with food and beverage service available from either the Pines Café or the Lookout Lounge. (Note: The 5:00 p.m. performance on December 2^nd is outside on the Desert View Terrace as part of the tree lighting ceremony.) Open seating (no reservations taken).