PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 28, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen as scheduled on Monday, October 1, 2018 after its annual maintenance closure. The first tram up will be at 10:00 a.m., the last tram up at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram down at 9:45 p.m. Tram cars leave at least every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour.

Completed projects this year include replacement of the upper haul rope and bearings on numerous tram systems; comprehensive mechanical testing; and resurfacing of parking lots and the 3.5 mile Tram Way, along with annual cleaning and refurbishment at both tram stations.

“We are now ready and excited to begin our 55^th season,” says Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Commences Annual Tradition

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 30, 2018) Temperatures may still be in the triple- digits, 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 falls 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!

Five-Course Dinner Features Italian Wine Pairings

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 24, 2018) The inaugural Winemaker Dinner at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is scheduled for Saturday, October 20 starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Francis Crocker Room. A five-course dinner menu designed by Chef Frank Decker with wine pairings is $99 per person including tax, gratuity and tram fare.

According to Gary Givens, Peaks Restaurant assistant general manager, “We decided to feature Italian wines at our first winemaker dinner. There will be selections from Lamole di Lamole, Santa Margherita and Kettmeir, and Chef Decker has prepared an extraordinary pairings menu.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling 760-325-1449 during regular business hours starting September 24. Seating is limited, so reservations are suggested. Additional information and menu details are available at https://pstramway.com/special-events/ .

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 4, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will close for annual maintenance beginning Monday, September 10, 2018 with a tentative reopening date of Monday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m.

“This year’s shut-down will provide an opportunity to replace the counter rope, bearings and bushings along with comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing on numerous tramway systems.” says Tramway Vice President of Maintenance Nicholas Clesceri. “This year’s scheduled projects are in addition to our regular tramway maintenance tasks that are completed 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.”

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 19, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate extended holiday hours on Monday, September 3, 2018 in observance of Labor Day. That day, the first Tram up will be at 8:00 a.m., the last Tram up will be 8:00 p.m. and last Tram down will be at 9:45 p.m. Trams depart at least every 30 minutes.  

The Tramway’s “Early Friday” program ends August 31 and the regular Friday schedule resumes September 7 with the first Tram up at 10:00 a.m.

Also, September 1 is the end of the Tramway’s “Summer Hours” on Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning Friday, September 7, the Tramway’s last car up daily will again be 8:00 p.m. and the last car down will be 9:45 p.m.

The Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness concludes the summer’s “Junior Ranger Days” on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2. These popular events led by Interpreter Allison Barnes are held at the base of the Mountain Station’s walkway from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include such children’s activities as “Leave No Trace” games, “Spin the Wheel” information board and “Meet & Greet” with animal pelts.

Finally, the Tramway’s Summer Pass ends August 31, but the Annual Pass is still available for purchase either online (www.pstramway.com) or at the Tram’s Valley Station. The price is $160 for adults and $90 for children and includes 365 days of fun!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August  8, 2018) Rotary Club of Palm Springs kicked-off a new program this summer to help acquaint local youth with the wonders of nature through a series of four escorted hikes in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. From June through August, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs have met at the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a tram ride, a guided hike led by a State Park volunteer and then lunch at the Mountain Station’s Pines Café.

Rotarian Jerry Ogburn states, “We live so close to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, yet many local kids have never had the chance to explore its Alpine forests. Therefore, our club decided to underwrite this inaugural program,” adding, “So far, the kids seem to love it!”

According to Boys & Girls Club Senior Program Director Andrea Madrigal, “The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is so thankful to the Rotary Club of Palm Springs for sponsoring our Club members and families to attend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway hiking and exploration program. Many of these children have never had the opportunity to go up the tram so this is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for our youth. They are given the opportunity to bond with Rotarians, fellow [Boys & Girls] Club members and parents while enjoying the cool summer air and wildlife up at the top of the tram.”

While parents complimented the program’s educational and informational elements, when the kids were asked what they liked most, responses included “Seeing the Salton Sea,” “Smelling the trees,” “Views from Notch 5” and—of course—“The pizza afterwards!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Behrens, 909-382-2788

Recreation areas to reopen after Cranston and Ribbon fires

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a new forest order, which reduces the size of the Cranston Fire Closure Area. The original order on July 28 temporarily closed all U.S. Forest Service lands within both the San Jacinto Ranger District and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument due to fire activity related to the Cranston and Ribbon fires. The new order, which goes into effect on Saturday, August 4, leaves areas around the Cranston Fire burn area closed.

The new order means the majority of popular hiking trails, campgrounds and roads on the district and national monument will reopen on Saturday. Popular recreational sites that will remain closed include the South Ridge Trail, the South Ridge Road and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout, which can be hiked to from the South Ridge Trail, will remain open with access via the Devils Slide Trail from the Humber Park Trailhead. The lookout itself was not damaged in the fire.

A map of the new Cranston Fire Closure Area can be viewed in the attached documents. The closure order is in effect through July 31, 2019, but its length and footprint may be adjusted as conditions change. Private land and recreational facilities run by other government agencies within the closure area are not affected by this order.

The Cranston Fire is currently at 13,139 acres with 96% containment and the Ribbon Fire grew to 205 acres and was 100% contained on July 30.

To keep updated on the Cranston Fire, check InciWeb and the forest’s social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

PALM SPRINGS, CA – July 29, 2018 12:30 p.m. – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen as of 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018.

Officials from the Mt. San Jacinto State Park have announced that Long Valley hiking trails will also reopen on July 30. Back-country trails and camping will remain closed until further notice due to the active fire situation.

Tramway staff would like to thank all fire personnel for their ongoing efforts.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 16, 2018) For the entire month of August, all qualified public safety employees receive free admission to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway as part of “Public Safety Days.” In addition, up to six of their guests receive 25% off of their regular tram fares.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “For over a decade, we’ve welcomed active and retired military personnel as part of ‘Military Days’. This year, we’re happy to start a new tradition with ‘Public Safety Days’. Not only is this our way of saying ‘Thank you” to the men and women who so courageously serve our communities, but we hope that a visit to the Tramway will forge new and cherished memories with their friends and families.”

Qualifying personnel include:

• Fire and police personnel
• California Highway Patrol
• County Sheriff Officers
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

This inaugural program runs August 1-31, 2018 with tickets (only) available at the Tramway’s Valley Station on the day of visit.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 20, 2018). In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will open early on Wednesday, July 4. The first tram car up on the holiday will be 8:00 a.m., the last tram car up will be 8:00 p.m. and the last tram car down will be 9:45 p.m.

Also, “Early Fridays” (8:00 a.m. first tram car up) continue through Labor Day Weekend, as well as extended summer hours (9:00 p.m. last tram car up on Fridays and Saturdays with last tram car down at 10:30 p.m.)

In addition, on Saturday July 7, “Junior Ranger Days” led by MSJSP&W Interpreter Allison Barnes is being held at the base of the Mountain Station’s walkway from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and include such children’s activities as “Leave No Trace” games, “Spin the Wheel” information board and “Meet & Greet” with animal pelts. Additional dates are August 4 and September 1 and 2. No advance registration is required.

And don’t forget to join free guided nature walks on Saturdays and Sundays featuring a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile loop beginning at 11:00 a.m. or the Long Valley Nature Trail, a ¾-mile loop beginning at 1:30 p.m. Those interested should meet at the bottom of the cement walkway located just outside the Mountain Station.

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend in the cool Alpine forests at the Top of the Tram!