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!”