PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 8, 2018) Memorial Day Weekend marks the official start of the summer season at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Extended holiday and weekend summer hours are just a few of the ways the Tramway is helping to extend your mountain adventure.

• Memorial Day, May 28, the first tram up at 8:00 a.m.
• May 25 through August 31 enjoy “Early Fridays.” The first tram up at 8:00 a.m. every Friday.
• Friday, May 25 through Saturday, September 1, evening hours will be extended on Fridays and Saturdays with the last car up at 9:00 p.m. and the last car down at 10:30 p.m. Also, Peaks Restaurant will remain open until 8:30 p.m. and Pines Café until 9:30 p.m. on those days.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We are happy to once again offer our summer visitors an extended-hours program to enjoy the many outdoor adventures provided in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The Park’s ranger staff and volunteers have a truly wonderful schedule of activities planned.”

San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness and San Jacinto Natural History Association

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 2, 2018) May 26 kicks off the summer programs of the Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association (NHA) in partnership with the Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness (MSJSP&W).

According to NHA President Joe Migliore, “After the success of our introductory series last summer, we decided to increase the number of offerings from 8 to 15, running through September 8.”

The first program is entitled “Birds on the Wing” and is led by Ornithologist Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert. Advance registration is required.

Also, on May 26 and 27, “Junior Ranger Days” returns to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. These popular events led by MSJSP&W Interpreter Allison Barnes are 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 June 16, July 7, August 4, and September 1 and 2. No advance registration is required.

Finally, free Guided Nature Walks by State Park volunteers resume May 26 and continue Saturdays and Sundays through September 2. These walks feature a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile 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.

There is no charge for any of these programs, except for regular Tramway admission.

For more information about the NHA summer programs or to register, please visit www.msjnha.org/events.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (April 23, 2018) A secret Southern California residents have long known is that the coolest spot during the hot summer months is just a 10-minute tram ride away—to the alpine forest atop the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. Beginning May 1, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Summer Pass makes “beating the heat” easy—and affordable—for everyone when passes again go on sale.

Valid through August 31, the Summer Pass includes unlimited Tram admissions for the pass-holder, a 10% discount on additional Tram admissions (up to 6 in party), a 10% discount at Peaks Restaurant or Pines Café, and unlimited free parking. Cost of the Summer Pass is $80 for adults and seniors (65+) and $40 for children ages 3-10, and may be purchased at the Tram’s Valley Station or online at www.pstramway.com beginning May 1.

Summer Pass holders also enjoy over 50 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and multiple campgrounds all within the 14,000-acre pristine forest of the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area.

The Tram’s Mountain Station offers spectacular view points, two restaurants, cocktail lounge, gift shop, natural history museum and two documentary-style movies about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

The first Tram up Monday through Friday is 10:00 a.m. and the first Tram up Saturday and Sunday is 8:00 a.m. The last Tram up daily is 8:00 p.m. and the last Tram down, 9:45 p.m.

Just a short drive from many Southern California cities, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Summer Pass is the perfect summer escape!

Celebrate Easter Sunday at 8,516 Feet

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 24, 2018) One of the most breathtaking places to watch the sunrise on Easter is at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet. On Sunday, April 1, beginning at 5:45 a.m., celebrate Easter Sunrise Service with songs of faith, hope and joy by the Abie & Bert Duo…along with a special inspirational Easter message by Pastor Robert Sneed.

The first tram car up that morning is 5:00 a.m. Reduced Tram fares will be in effect until 7:30 a.m. with round-trip $15.50 for adults and seniors, and $12.25 for children ages 3-10.

Immediately following the program, breakfast will be served in Pines Café until 10:00 a.m. If purchased by 7:30 a.m., the cost for the Ride ‘N’ Breakfast combination, which includes round-trip Tram fare, is $25.95 for adults and seniors, and $16.95 for children ages 3-10. The breakfast menu is also available separately until 10:00 a.m. for $12.95 + tax.

Tickets to the Sunrise Service and Ride ‘n’ Breakfast are now available for advance purchase by visiting the Tramway’s Valley Station or by calling 760-325-1449 during normal business hours. (Note: These purchase options are only available for tickets redeemed 5:00-7:30 a.m. on April 1, 2018.) Tickets may also be purchased Easter morning.

Normal Tram fares will be in effect after 7:30 a.m. with admission $25.95 for adults, $23.95 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.

Peaks Restaurant will serve regular lunch and dinner menus during normal operating hours.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 1, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe holiday hours during Presidents Weekend February 17-19, 2018 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, be awed by spectacular Coachella Valley vistas from the Mountain Station, or dine in Peaks Restaurant, Pines Café or the Lookout Lounge.

Tram admission is $25.95 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 $22.95 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.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 28, 2018) Peak’s Restaurant—at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—will offer a special 3-course prix fixe menu on Valentine’s Day for $60.00. The menu includes choice of appetizer (carrot ginger soup or Mandarin salad), entrée (braised short ribs, seared ahi or Primavera) and trio of desserts, plus a glass of champagne.

The prix fixe menu—in addition to Peak’s regular menu— will be served on February 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Tax, gratuity and tram admission are not included.

Already have plans for lunch or dinner? Discover another side of romance and spend the day in the Mount San Jacinto State Park or just enjoy the views from the Mountain Station view terraces.

Tram admission is $25.95 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 $22.95 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.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 9, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest officially ended on Tuesday, January 9 with one inch of measurable snow at the Tramway’s Mountain Station as of 6:35 a.m.

The first ten contestants who submitted the correct date are:

1. B.K. Palmer of Palm Desert
2. Brenda Siddon of Desert Hot Springs
3. Mr. & Mrs. A. Shutak of Palm Springs
4. Harold Clumeck of Palm Springs
5. M.L. Bratton of Indio
6. Jeff Givo of Irvine
7. Linda Dinko of Cathedral City
8. Vanessa Ng of Irvine
9. Diane Lakata of Palm Desert
10. Tim McQuaide of Culver City

The winners will receive four Tramway admissions plus a Tramway snow globe. The contest began October 1 and 845 entries were received.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 5, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe holiday hours during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend January 13-15 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, 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.

Dining options include:

• Peaks Restaurant offers a waiter-service dining experience. Reservations are recommended by calling 760-325-4537 or by booking via Open Table on the Tram’s website.
• Pines Café offers a more casual, cafeteria-style dining alternative.
• Lookout Lounge offers a variety of alcoholic beverages and appetizers.

Tram admission is $25.95 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 $22.95 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 and Dining Throughout Holiday Season

PALM SPRINGS, CA (December 5, 2017) Santa visits the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Saturday, December 16 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.

The Tramway operates a special schedule from December 18, 2017 through January 1, 2018. 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.

On December 25, 2017 and January 1, 2018, Ride ’n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—is 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 8:30 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, 2017 and January 1, 2018. 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).

Finally, the remaining performances of the Tram’s “Sounds of the Holidays” musical series are as follows:

• Friday, December 8 – Desert Ridge Academy Concert Choir
• Saturday, December 9 – Martin Luther King High School Chamber Singers & Show Choir
• Sunday, December 10 – Encore High School for the Arts Madrigals
• Friday, December 15 – The Lions’ Pride Chamber Singers (Cathedral City H.S.)

Choirs perform on the Pines Café Stage at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Trail Closed Since 2013 Mountain Fire

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 19, 2017) California State Parks and the United States Forest Service announced last week that the Willow Creek Trail located within the San Bernardino National Forest and Mount San Jacinto State Park has reopened. This trail was closed due to damage caused by the Mountain Fire in July 2013 and is a popular “through hike” between the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the town of Idyllwild.

According to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “Our patrons have anxiously awaited the reopening of this route. On behalf of the Tram’s governing board of directors, I would like to thank the staff and volunteers of the State Park and Forest Service for their hard work in completing the trail repairs.”

Mt. San Jacinto State Park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness, one of the last in California. All trails can be accessed by exiting the Tramway’s Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway to Long Valley. There you will find picnic tables, the ranger station, restrooms and directional signage for the trail system.

For more trail and hiking information, please visit https://pstramway.com/hiking/  or www.parks.ca.gov.