News

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.

Celebrate Easter Sunday at 8,516 Feet

PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 01, 2024) On Sunday, March 31, celebrate Easter Sunrise Service with songs of faith, hope, and joy by the Perkins Brothers, and an inspirational message by Pastor Robert Sneed. The service will begin at 5:30 a.m., with the first tram car up at 4:30 a.m.
Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 4:15 a.m. with reduced tram fares until 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.95 for adults and seniors, and $13.95 for children ages 3-10.

Beginning at 6:45 a.m., breakfast will be served in Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant, until 10:00 a.m. Ride ‘N’ Breakfast combination tickets, which include tram fare and breakfast, will be available for purchase from 4:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for $32.95 for adults and seniors, and $21.95 for children ages 3-10.

Normal tram fares will be in effect after 7:30 a.m. Regular Tram admission is $30.95 for adults, $28.95 for seniors 65+, and $18.95 for children ages 3-10. (Note: These prices do not include breakfast, only tram fare.)
Easter dinner will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Pines Café. Cost for the Easter Ride ‘N’ Dine combination is $41.00 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children ages 3-10. Reservations are not taken, and tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

Tickets to the Sunrise Service and Ride ‘n’ Breakfast are now available for advance purchase by visiting the Tramway’s Valley Station during normal business hours. (Note: This purchase option is only available for tickets redeemed 4:30-7:30 a.m. on March 31, 2024.) Tickets may also be purchased on Easter morning upon arrival at the Tram’s Valley Station.

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

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 14, 2024) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen on Thursday, February 15 following the completion of storm-related road repairs.

The first car up will be at 10:00 a.m., the last car up will be at 8:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 9:30 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming guests back to the Tramway and the Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 8, 2024) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will close from Monday, February 12 through Wednesday, February 14 to perform continuing road repairs.

The tentative reopening date is Thursday, February 15 with the first car up at 10:00 a.m.

This week’s storms prevented all permanent repairs from being completed, so additional closure days are now required.

Please note that normal Tramway operations and schedules remain in effect through Sunday, February 11.

We regret the inconvenience this is causing our visitors and appreciate their understanding.

Peak’s Restaurant Offers Special Prix Fixe Valentine’s Day Menu

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 4, 2024) 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. The menu includes choice of appetizer (spinach salad, charred shrimp or wild mushroom puree), entrée (crab-stuffed Orange Roughy, roasted duck, filet mignon or vegetable coconut curry) and dessert (warm apple tart or chocolate volcano cake).

The prix fixe menu will be served on February 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the price is $89 per person. Tax, gratuity and tram admission are not included. In addition, the Peaks regular dinner menu will also be served. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 760-325-4537 or via Open Table at www.opentable.com/peaks-restaurant.

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 $30.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3-10. Special discounts and packages are available after 4:00 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $27.95 for adults and seniors, and $15.95 for children ages 3-10. Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets are $41.00 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children ages 3-10. This combination ticket includes Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 2, 2024) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen for Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4 after temporary road repairs were completed today following damage caused by this week’s storm. Regular weekend hours will resume with the first car up at 8:00 a.m., the last car up at 8:00 p.m. and the last car down at 9:30 p.m.

The Tramway will then close Monday through Wednesday (February 5-7) to complete permanent road repairs with reopening tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 8.

We regret the inconvenience this closure is causing our Tramway visitors and look forward to welcoming guests back upon completion of these necessary road repairs.