SUNRISE SERVICE AT PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Celebrate Easter Sunday at 8,516 Feet
PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 8, 2020) One of the most spectacular places to watch the sunrise on Easter is at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet. On Sunday, April 12, beginning at 5:15 a.m., celebrate Easter Sunrise Service with songs of faith, hope and joy by Abie Perkins and Natasha Carian … along with a special inspirational Easter message by Pastor Robert Sneed.
The first tram car up that morning is 4:45 a.m. Reduced tram fares will be in effect until 7:30 a.m. with round-trip $15.95 for adults and seniors, and $11.95 for children ages 3-10.
Beginning at 6:30 a.m., breakfast will be served in the Forest View Restaurant until 10:00 a.m. Breakfast is $29.95 for adults and seniors, and $17.95 for children ages 3-10, not including Tram fare.
Tickets to the Sunrise Service are now available for advance purchase by visiting the Tramway’s Valley Station or by calling 760-325-1449 during regular business hours. (Note: These purchase options are only available for tickets redeemed 4:45-7:30 a.m. on April 12, 2020.) Tickets may also be purchased Easter morning upon arrival at the Tram’s Valley Station starting at 4:15 a.m.
Normal Tram fares will be in effect after 7:30 a.m. with admission $26.95 for adults, $24.95 seniors 65+ and $16.95 for children ages 3-10.
Easter dinner will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant. Cost for the Holiday Ride ‘N’ Dine combination is $36.00 for adults and seniors, and $23.50 for children ages 3-10. Reservations are not taken and tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m.
The Forest View Restaurant will serve regular lunch and dinner menus during normal operating hours.
BRIAN NESTANDE ELECTED CHAIRPERSON OF MOUNT SAN JACINTO WINTER PARK AUTHORITY
PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 13, 2020) Former Inland Assemblyman Brian Nestande has been elected 2020 chairman of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority (MSJWPA), governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Nestande was appointed to the Authority by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in 2016, and reappointed by Supervisor Manuel Perez and the Board of Supervisors in 2020.
Nestande, now deputy county executive officer for Riverside County, represented the 42nd district in the California State Assembly from 2008 to 2014. Previously, he served as chief of staff for Congressman Sonny Bono and then Congresswoman Mary Bono.
According to Nestande, “This is a very exciting time to serve on the Tram board with the restoration of the Mountain Station and all the other improvements now occurring. It is truly an honor to be elected chair for the coming year.”
“Mr. Nestande’s experience in all levels of government operations combined with his leadership skills have been extremely valuable to the Authority during his four years on the board,” adds Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols. “We are very happy to now welcome him to the chairman’s position.”
Nestande succeeds 2019 Chair Nancy Stuart, a 2000 Palm Springs City Council MSJWPA appointee and retired banker.
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.
SPECIAL TRAM HOURS FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND
PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 3, 2020) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe holiday hours during Presidents’ Weekend February 15-17, 2020 with the first Tram car up each day at 8:00 a.m., the last Tram car up at 8:00 p.m. and the last Tram car down at 9:45 p.m. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.
Enjoy a day or evening above the desert floor exploring the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness and be awed by spectacular Coachella Valley vistas from the Mountain Station.
Tram admission is $26.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 3-10. Special discounts and packages are available after 4:00 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $23.95 for adults and seniors, and $13.95 for children ages 3-10. Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets are $36 for adults and seniors, and $23.50 for children ages 3-10. This combination ticket includes Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café.
SPECIAL TRAM HOURS FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY
PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 5, 2020) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe holiday hours during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend January 18-20 with the first tram up each day at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram down at 9:45 p.m. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.
At the Mountain Station, visitors may enjoy viewpoints, dining, a gift shop, a natural history museum, over 50 miles of hiking trails and two documentary-style movies about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Tram admission is $26.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 3-10 years.
Special discounts and packages are available after 4:00 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $23.95 for adults and seniors, and $13.95 for children ages 3-10.
Tickets for February 15 through 17 may be purchased at the Tramway on the day of your visit. We are sorry, but advance purchase is not available for those dates. Thank you.
TRAMWAY’S SNOW GUESSING CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 20, 2019) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest officially ended on Wednesday, November 20 with one inch of measurable snow at the Tramway’s Mountain Station as of 2:00 p.m.
The first ten contestants who submitted the correct date are:
- M. Bratton of Indio
- Richard Namey of Desert Hot Springs
- Dan Baumann of Morongo Valley
- Brenda Siddon of Desert Hot Springs
- Dave Butts of Anchorage, AK
- Marie Montenegro of Palm Springs
- Cindy Hensel of Bermuda Dunes
- Carol Morin of Desert Hot Springs
- Kimberly Ellis of Palm Desert
- Phillip Merriam of Highland
The winners will receive four Tramway admissions plus a Tramway ornament. The contest began October 1 and 955 entries were received.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES CONTINUE AT PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Santa Visits, Holiday Hours, Holiday Dining and More!
PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 12, 2019) Santa visits the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Saturday, December 14 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 15 is “Breakfast with Santa”. Starting at 9:00 a.m., join Ol’ St. Nick for crafts, holiday treats and a delicious meal in an alpine setting. Tickets are $40 for adults and seniors, and $26.00 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is included. Advanced tickets are required by calling 760-325-1449.
On December 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020, 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, 2019 and January 1, 2020. 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 21, 2019 through January 5, 2020. 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.
“SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS” AT PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 5, 2019) On November 29, a decades-long tradition resumes when holiday choir season begins at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 13, a different high school choir performs holiday favorites at the Tramway’s Mountain Station.
For the 2019 holiday season, the Tramway is proud to present the following line-up:
- Friday, November 29 – Rancho Mirage High School Choir
- Saturday December 30 – Indio High School Choir
- Sunday, December 1 – Palm Springs High School Madrigals & String Quartet
- Friday, December 6 – The Lions’ Pride Chamber Singers (Cathedral City H.S.)
- Saturday, December 7 – Martin Luther King High School Chamber Singers & Show Choir
- Sunday, December 8 – Encore High School for the Arts Madrigals
- Friday, December 13 – Jurupa Valley High School
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 1st is outside on the Desert View Terrace as part of the tree lighting ceremony.) Open seating (no reservations taken).
PEABODY AND EMMY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST HANK PLANTE TO LIGHT TRAMWAY’S HOLIDAY TREE DECEMBER 1
Special Appearance by Santa Adds to Festivities
PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 3, 2019) Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist, Hank Plante, will serve as the 2019 celebrity tree lighter for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 at the Tram’s Mountain Station kicking-off with a holiday performance by the Palm Springs High School Madrigals & String Quartet along with a special appearance by Santa. Then Plante will light the Tram’s landmark 45-foot tree comprised of over 4,000 LED lights, which can seen throughout the Coachella Valley.
Plante is the recipient of six Emmys and has covered California for three decades on TV stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He is the winner of the George Foster Peabody Award and was named “Reporter of the Year” by the Associated Press. He is now a resident of Palm Springs and serves on the Desert Sun Editorial Board, as well as providing commentary for NBC Palm Springs.
As one of the first openly-gay TV reporters in the United States, Plante has been honored by numerous LGBT rights organizations. In addition, he was featured in the documentary “5B” which was selected for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and chronicles the first AIDS ward opened in the nation, which he covered as a reporter.
“For me the holidays are a time when we rise above our differences (which can be glaring if you work in the news business like I do), and we’re lifted up to who we really are: brothers and sisters getting through life together,” according to Plante. “Driving around the Valley, looking up at the holiday lights coming from the top of the Tram, I’m instantly reminded of that all through the Season. “
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 28, 2019) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate a special schedule during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1. The first tram up each day will be at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up will be at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram down will be at 9:45 p.m.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, Ride ’n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—will be 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 children (ages 3-10). The holiday menu includes a mixed greens salad; a choice of oven-roasted turkey, beef a la mode or vegetarian lasagna; a selection of side dishes; and old-fashioned carrot cake or pumpkin pie. Dinner roll along with a small fountain beverage, coffee or tea are included.
Peaks Restaurant will begin serving their regular menu along with traditional holiday favorites at 11:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 760-325-4537 or by visiting https://pstramway.com/dining/ .
This Thanksgiving, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, stroll the majestic forests of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, and then dine while enjoying the most spectacular views in the entire Coachella Valley.
