Monthly Archives: September 2019

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Continues Annual Tradition

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 30, 2019) Temperatures may still be on the warm side, but October 1^st marks the start of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Snow Guessing Contest. This annual event continues until the first measurable inch of snow fall at the Tram’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet.

The first ten entries received with the correct date of snowfall will win four Tram admissions plus a special Tram gift memento. In the event there are more than ten correct entries, the earliest postmarks will prevail.

To submit an entry, simply write down your best-guess date on a postcard and mail it to: Snow Guessing Contest, 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Please remember that only postmarked postcards will be accepted (no emailed entries) and no postmarks before October 1. Participants may enter as many times as they would like, but only one date per postcard. For more information and contest rules, please visit www.pstramway.com/special-events.

It won’t be long before snowflakes are falling just a few minutes from the desert floor. And there’s never been a year when someone didn’t win the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Snow Guessing Contest!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 28, 2019) Due to maintenance delays, the reopening date for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has been moved from Monday, September 30 to tentatively Monday, October 7.

According to Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch, “During our current shutdown, a measurement device called the load cell was changed-out. After a site visit by the manufacturer of the Tram’s control system, it was determined that the new part was faulty and must be replaced before operation of the Tram resumes. Due to this reinstallation and additional required testing, our reopening has been delayed by one week.”

Adds Bartsch, “Our number one priority is always guest safety. We apologize for any inconvenience this delay has caused our visitors.”

“Uncovered in the Archives” Set to Air September 29, October 4 and October 9

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 25, 2019) Historical records of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will soon be revealed in an episode of the popular Empire/KVCR PBS series “Uncovered In the Archives.” Series host Brad Pomerance travels to Palm Springs to sift through the Tramway’s archives to learn how this world-renowned Southern California attraction came to be. The 30-minute episode is set to premier on September 29, 2019 at 9:30 p.m. with two subsequent air dates of October 4 and October 9.

According to Pomerance, “The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway holds so much history in Palm Springs that to have access to the archives of this iconic attraction was truly a treat for me.”

“Uncovered in the Archives” travels throughout Greater Inland California to reveal some of the region’s most extraordinary historical events and places—known and unknown, remembered and forgotten—all told through the hidden treasures that are discovered in the destinations visited.

The series is produced for Empire KVCR/PBS by Big Mist Productions and the Endeavor Production Company, with C.J. Eastman serving as executive producer and Glenn Grant as creative director.

Segment of “Aaron Needs a Job” Set to Air September 9, 2019

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 5, 2019) Expert custom car-builder and former star of “Fast ‘N Loud” Aaron Kaufman has teamed up with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s maintenance team for an episode of the Discovery Channel’s new series “Aaron Needs a Job” set to air September 9, 2019 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The one-hour episode takes an up-close look at how the sheaves [grooved wheels] on the tram support towers are changed.  Viewers get a rare view into what working several hundred feet above ground is actually like.

Since the series premiere on July 15, 2019, audiences have had a front-row seat as Kaufman has left no stone unturned on his journey to find his next big gig. With him taking full advantage of the opportunity to go deep inside the industries, motors, machines and mechanical minds that drive the rest of the world, “Aaron Needs A Job” offers a unique vantage point for viewers and motor fans alike.

“Aaron Needs A Job” is produced for Discovery Channel by Pilgrim Media Group, with Craig Piligian and Eddie Rohwedder serving as executive producers. For Discovery Channel, Craig Coffman and Kyle Wheeler are executive producers with Ethan Galvin and Olivia Ghersen serving as producers. Aaron Kaufman also serves as executive producer.

September 8 Last Day to Ride until September 30

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 4, 2019) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will close for annual maintenance beginning Monday, September 9, 2019 with a tentative reopening date of Monday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m.

“This year’s shut-down will provide an opportunity to exchange one of the tramcar carriages, along with comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing of numerous tramway systems,” says Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch. “This year’s scheduled projects are in addition to our regular tramway maintenance tasks that are performed every year during our annual shutdown period.”

Adds Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “The tramway runs seven-days-a-week, year-round, so—while we regret the inconvenience our annual closure causes—this time allows us to complete projects we cannot do when we are open to the public.”