PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 26, 2021) – Due to mechanical issues caused by last night’s heavy rain and lightning, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will not open today. Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, July 27 with the first car up at 10:00 a.m.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 25, 2021) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate with extended hours on Monday, July 5. The first car up will be at 8:00 a.m., the last car up will be at 6:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 8:00 p.m.
Also, Guided Nature Walks by Mt. San Jacinto State Park Volunteers continue Saturdays and Sundays through September 5. These walks feature a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile route 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. Walks begin at the bottom of the concrete ramp.
Celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend in the cool Alpine forests at the top of the Tram!
PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 23,2021) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate with extended hours on Memorial Day. The first car up on Monday, May 31 will be at 8:00 a.m., the last car up will be at 6:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 8:00 p.m.
Also, Guided Nature Walks by Mt. San Jacinto State Park Volunteers resume May 29 and continue Saturdays and Sundays through September 5. These walks feature a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile route 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. Walks begin at the bottom of the concrete ramp.
“We are very happy the State Park is resuming their guided summer nature walks on Memorial Day Weekend,” says Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols. “What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than a forest walk at the top of the Tram!”
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PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 6, 2021) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will expand from five- to seven-day-a-week operations beginning Monday, May 10 with revised hours. Monday through Thursday, the first car up will be at 10:00 a.m., the last car up will be at 6:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 8:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the first car up will be at 8:00 a.m., the last car up will be at 7:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 9:00 p.m. Advance online ticket purchase is still required at www.pstramway.com.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “Since our reopening on February 18 after the Covid closure, we have operated on a reduced Thursday through Monday schedule. For the convenience and enjoyment of both local residents and our Valley’s many visitors, we are delighted to be back to seven-day-a-week operations just in time for our summer season.”
PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 22, 2021) Bary Freet, retired Palm Springs fire chief, has been elected 2021 chairman of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority (MSJWPA), governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Freet was appointed to the Authority by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in 2012, and reappointed by Supervisor Manuel Perez and the Board of Supervisors in 2020.
Freet began his long career in public service in 1969, serving in multiple positions in administration and natural resources management with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. He joined the Palm Springs Fire Department in 1986 and rose through the administrative ranks, being named fire chief in 1994, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. He next served as executive director of the Weil Institute of Critical Care Medicine for approximately two years, and has served on numerous civic and charitable boards.
According to Freet, “The past year has been a challenging one for the Tram, as it has for so many businesses due to the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming our guests back soon and the long-awaited completion of our Mountain Station renovation. It is an honor to serve as the 2021 chair.”
Freet succeeds 2020 Chair Brian Nestande, a 2015 Riverside County MSJWPA appointee and deputy Riverside County executive officer. Other officers elected for 2021 are Vice Chair Jerry Ogburn, Secretary Brian Conley and Treasurer Jeff 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 Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Jeff Ohlfs appointed by the Governor.
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 23, 2020) While it may still feel like summer, October 23 marks the start of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Snow Guessing Contest. This annual event runs until the first measurable inch of snow falls at the Tram’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “Traditionally, our Snow Guessing Contest begins October 1, but—this year—we wanted to wait until the Tram reopened before starting it. Not only are we anxious for the first snow, we are anxious for folks to come up and experience it in person!”
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. 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. There’s never been a year when someone didn’t win the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Snow Guessing Contest.
PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 13, 2020) This year, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is moving its annual maintenance shutdown period from September to August. According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “With our current extended closure, we decided that if we moved our maintenance period up by a month, we could perhaps reopen to the public by Labor Day rather than early October, as currently scheduled.”
Along with other California attractions, the Tramway has been closed since March 13 due to the coronavirus. “Our new safety protocols are in place and we are ready to open” says Nichols, “But we certainly understand that this is a time when the health and safety of our guests and staff must take precedence.”
“This year’s maintenance shut-down will provide an opportunity to replace the lower haul rope, exchange the carriage on cabin 2 and perform State-permit testing, along with control systems annual service and upgrades,” says Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch.
Adds Nichols, “While we regret the loss of the summer season for our visitors and locals, we hope that by Labor Day Weekend, we will be able to reopen. The fall is a wonderful time to visit the Tramway and we sincerely look forward to welcoming back our guests.”
PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 18, 2020) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will continue its temporary closure at least through April 30 due to the ongoing uncertainties regarding the coronavirus.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We again express our deepest regrets to our visitors and appreciate their understanding.”
PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 12, 2020) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will temporarily close due to the risk posed by the coronavirus. The closure is effective immediately and is expected to continue through March.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “The actions taken today were difficult, but the health and safety of our guests and employees far outweigh any other considerations. We sincerely apologize for this closure, but hope our visitors will return when we reopen.”
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