The Press Room offers material for print and Internet publications. Copy on various Tram topics is available below, and may be downloaded as a PDF file.
EXTENDED HOURS AT TRAMWAY ON MEMORIAL DAY
Guided Nature Walks Also Begin On Holiday Weekend
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!”
About
TRAMWAY RESUMES SEVEN-DAY OPERATIONS
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.”
BARY FREET ELECTED 2021 CHAIRPERSON OF MOUNT SAN JACINTO WINTER PARK AUTHORITY
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.
