Yearly Archives: 2024

PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 3, 2024) The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has announced the appointment of Jonathan Hoy to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Born and raised in the Coachella Valley, Hoy is a professional civil engineer with over 30 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors. He currently serves as the Director of Transportation for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. As a former Assistant City Manager/City Engineer for the City of Coachella and Public Works Director/City Engineer for the City of Desert Hot Springs, Hoy has established strong partnerships with federal, state, county, municipal, and tribal councils. “I look forward to serving the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority to my best ability.”

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “I am delighted with the appointment of Mr. Hoy to the Authority. His governmental background will add a valuable perspective to our board.”

The other Authority Members are Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Jeff Ohlfs, appointed by the Governor; Bary Freet, appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; and Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart, appointed by the Palm Springs City Council.

State Park Guided Nature Walks Resume Sundays Through Labor Day

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 19, 2024) Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of the summer season at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Extended summer hours begin May 24 and end September 1.

Every Friday and Saturday, the last tram up will be at 9:00 p.m. and the last tram down will be at 10:30 p.m. In addition, Peaks Restaurant will extend the last seating to 8:30 p.m. and Pines Café will remain open until 9:30 p.m.

Also, holiday hours will be observed on Sunday, May 26 with the last tram up at 9:00 p.m. and the last tram down at 10:30 p.m. On Monday, May 27, the first tram up will be at 8:00 a.m., one hour earlier than usual.

Finally, Guided Nature Walks by State Park volunteers resume May 26 and continue Sundays through September 1. These walks feature a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile walk beginning at 11:00 a.m. and the Long Valley Nature Trail, a ¾-mile loop beginning at 1:30 p.m. No advance registration is required and there is no charge except for regular Tramway admission.

“The Tramway’s summer schedule provides the opportunity for Palm Springs residents and visitors to spend more time outside in the cooler air during the hot summer months,” says Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols. “And nighttime views from the tram cars and Mountain Station are truly spectacular. After dark is a magical experience while either dining or just enjoying the views across the Coachella Valley from 8,516 feet.”

Enjoy Panoramic Views of the Coachella Valley from Peaks Restaurant

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 15, 2024) Celebrate Palm Springs Restaurant Week at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway May 31-June 9. Peaks Restaurant is offering a special dinner menu while guests enjoy spectacular views and a ride on the world’s largest rotating tramcar.

The three-course $59 prix fixe menu (exclusive of tax, gratuity, and tram fare) includes:

• Starter Options—Spinach Salad, Corn Chowder, Charred Shrimp, or Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Entrée Options—Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Lemon Roughy, Filet of Beef, Smoked Gouda Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese, or Half Roasted Duck
• Dessert Options—Tiramisu, Flourless Caramel Chocolate Crunch Cake, or Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Reduced Restaurant Week tram fares are available after 4:00 p.m. and are $19 for adults and seniors, and $12 for children (ages 3-10) with confirmed Peaks Restaurant reservations.

The last tram car up Sunday through Thursday is 8:00 p.m. and the last car down is 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the last tram car up is 9:00 p.m. and the last tram car down is 10:30 p.m.

For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.pstramway.com/dining.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May1, 2024) The Palm Springs City Council has announced two reappointments to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority (MSJWPA), the governing board of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Nancy Stuart, a desert resident since 1975, was first appointed to the Tramway board in 2000. She has served as chairperson three times and is currently secretary. For 32 years, she managed financial institutions in the City of Palm Springs including Santa Fe Federal Savings, Downey Savings and U.S. Bank. She has served on the board of the Downtown Business Improvement District—a precursor to “Main Street”; was on the initial board of the Ruth Hardy (Movie Colony East) Neighborhood Organization; is a former chamber of commerce liaison committee member with the city council; and has served on various committees of the Palm Springs Woman’s Club. “It is important for the Tramway to run efficiently and safely,” states Stuart. “As well, it is essential to be good stewards of the pristine environment within which we operate. We look forward to many future generations enjoying this iconic experience.”

 Jerry Ogburn was first appointed to the Tramway board in 2006 and has served as chairperson three times. For over four decades, Ogburn worked as an urban planner and designer in both the public and private sectors leading interdisciplinary teams of specialized consultants. Most recently, he served for five years as a senior designer for The Planning Center in Rancho Mirage, and then another five years for MSA Consulting, Inc., also in Rancho Mirage, as a senior planner. He has served as a member of the Urban Land Institute, a charter member of the American Planning Association and associate member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. “At the Tramway, we work to continually enrich our visitor experience,” says Ogburn. “With the recent completion of our Mountain Station remodel, we look forward to future projects that will further enhance, what is truly, one of the world’s most unique attractions.”

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “I am delighted with the reappointments. They, along with our other Authority Members, have made critical contributions to the success of the Tramway through the years and I look forward to their continuing leadership.”

The other Authority Members are Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Jeff Ohlfs, appointed by the Governor, and Bary Freet, appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

Popular Program Runs May 1 through August 31, 2024

PALM SPRINGS, CA (April 30, 2024) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Summer Pass is back! Starting May 1, guests may purchase a Summer Pass to escape the hot summer heat and enjoy a refreshing experience at the peak. Temperatures at the top of the Tramway are typically 30-40 degrees cooler than on the valley floor.

The Summer Pass includes unlimited Tram admissions for the passholder, a 10% discount on additional Tram admissions (limit 4), a 10% discount at Peaks Restaurant or Pines Café, and unlimited free parking. Summer Passes are $85 for adults and seniors, and $45 for children ages 3-10. Beginning May 1, guests may purchase their Summer Pass online at www.pstramway.com or in-person at the Tramway’s Valley Station. Summer Passes are valid May 1 through August 31, 2024.

Passholders will enjoy over 50 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and campgrounds in the 14,000-acre pristine wilderness of the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

The Tramway’s Mountain Station offers spectacular views stretching from the Salton Sea to the San Gorgonio Pass. Cocktails are available in the Lookout Lounge, and there is a gift shop, natural history museum, and two documentary-style films about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

For more information or to buy your Summer Pass today, please visit https://pstramway.com/tickets.

Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority Board Member

PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 8, 2024) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway mourns the passing of Brian Nestande, current Treasurer and former Chair of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body for the Tramway. Nestande was appointed to the Tramway board by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on September 20, 2016, and has served ever since.

“We were shocked and saddened to learn this news yesterday,” says current board chair Jeff Ohlfs. “On behalf of my fellow directors, we send our condolences to his wife and children, and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the Tram.”

Adds Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We lost a true friend of the Tram this week. His board contributions were numerous and crucial during his nearly eight-year tenure. With sad hearts, the Tram staff and I send our deepest condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.”

PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 6, 2024) Jeff Ohlfs, retired park ranger, has been elected 2024 Chairperson of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Ohlfs was originally appointed to the Authority by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2018 and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023.

Ohlfs, of Twenty-Nine Palms, has been a Division Supervisor (Reservist) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Operations Division Response Directorate since 2017. Since 2021, he has served as Vice Commander of the San Bernardino County Sheriff Morongo Basin Search and Rescue Team. He has spent 45 years in the park profession. He held several positions at Joshua Tree National Park from 1990 to 2016, including Chief Park Ranger, District Park Ranger, and Park Ranger. He was a park ranger at Hot Springs National Park from 1987 to 1990 and at C&O Canal National Historical Park from 1985 to 1987. Ohlfs earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Planning from Cal Poly Humboldt.

“Serving as 2024 Chair of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority is a great honor,” says Ohlfs. “I hope that my background in natural resource planning and management brings a beneficial perspective to my tenure as chair.”

Also elected for 2024 offices are Vice Chair Sandra Magana-Cuellar, Secretary Nancy Stuart, and Treasurer Brian Nestande.

In addition to Ohlfs, the current Authority members are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart appointed by the Palm Springs City Council; Bary Freet and Brian Nestande appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; and Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Brian Conley appointed by the Governor.