Tram News

Tram News2025-10-08T19:08:26+00:00

36TH ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE RESULTS

The winner of the 36th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Nic Beechan, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 30 minutes, 7 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was Jeanne Collonge in 35 minutes, 51 seconds. Maverick Gentry finished first in the youngest category (12 and under) and Andrew Suozzo finished first in the oldest category (75-79).

This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:

Age Groups Name City Time
12 and under M Maverick Gentry Cathedral City, CA 00:52:07
12 and under F Leilani Lua La Quinta, CA 01:25:33
13-19 M Travis Nuñez Unknown 00:37:44
13-19 F Yoselin Canseco California 00:45:56
20-24 M Jayson Fernbacher Orinda, CA 00:50:47
20-24 F None
25-29 M Deryhan Harris Unknown 00:41:43
25-29 F Oralia Ortega Unknown 00:51:06
30-34 M Ryan Mills Unknown 00:42:16
30-34 F Hail Wiggins Unknown 00:43:46
35-39 M Kyle Stovel San Diego, CA 00:38:42
35-39 F Liz Mills Bellevue, WA 00:46:14
40-44 M Steffen Hoehne Newbury Park, CA 00:38:37
40-44 F Carey Paholek Edmonton, Canada 00:42:51
45-49 M Eric Jannon Santa Monica, CA 00:43:52
45-49 F Arcy Selk Brawley, CA 00:44:50
50-54 M Troy Williams Palm Cove, Australia 00:37:52
50-54 F Kristen Trubee Palm Desert, CA 00:47:52
55-59 M Anthony Tanner Rancho Cucamonga, CA 00:38:09
55-59 F Nancy Hickey Los Angeles, CA 00:44:45
60-64 M Jeff Soares Aptos, CA 00:37:02
60-64 F Pamela Smyth Indio, CA 00:56:52
65-69 M James Maxwell San Diego, CA 00:48:16
65-69 F Debra Montgomery Unknown 00:52:24
70-74 M Paul Beer Palm Springs, CA 00:51:56
70-74 F Linda Peterson Playa Del Rey, CA 00:51:36
75-79 M Andrew Suozzo Cathedral City, CA 00:56:04
75-79 F Debbie Patterson Woodland, CA 01:12:23

The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.

732 runners and walkers entered this year’s Tram Road Challenge.

October 23rd, 2023|Events|

ANNUAL SNOW GUESSING CONTEST BEGINS OCTOBER 1

Posted: Sept. 29, 2023

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Continues Annual Tradition

The San Jacinto Mountains will soon be covered in snow, which means it’s time for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest to begin! This event runs from October 1 until the first measurable inch of snow falls at the Tramway’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet.

The first ten entries received with the correct date of snowfall will win four regular Tram admission tickets, plus a commemorative Tramway 60th Anniversary gift bag. In the event there are more than ten correct entries, winners will be chosen by the earliest postmark date.

To submit an entry, write down your best-guess date on a postcard and mail it to: Snow Guessing Contest, 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Only one date per postcard will be accepted.

The top of the Tramway will soon be covered in snow, making a snow day a short 10-minute tramcar ride away from the desert floor. There’s never been a year when someone didn’t win the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest.

September 29th, 2023|Events|

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

Posted: Sept. 5, 2023

$13-Million Mountain Station Renovation Commemorates Occasion

Throughout the month of September, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is celebrating its 60th anniversary. During its six decades of operations, this engineering marvel has transported nearly 22 million people to the Tramway’s recently-renovated Mountain Station and the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness.

A signature attraction for Greater Palm Springs, the Tram attracts adventure-seekers from around the globe to dine, hike, take-in the spectacular views and enjoy the thrill of ascending nearly 6,000 feet along the rugged cliffs of Chino Canyon. But all this took nearly three decades of planning and construction before welcoming the Tram’s first visitor.

The idea for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway began in 1935 when a young electrical engineer named Francis Crocker dreamt of a way to escape the summer heat of the desert floor for the cool Alpine forests of Mt. San Jacinto.

After years of setbacks and delays, $8.15 million in private revenue bonds was raised and a land donation was secured from local businessman Culver Nichols for the Tram’s Valley Station. Construction finally commenced in July of 1961. On September 12, 1963, (then) Governor Edmund “Pat” Brown ‘cut the ribbon’ and the Tramway officially opened.

In 2000, the Tramway completed a $15 million modernization program, which included the installation of its new rotating tramcars. These became the first of their kind in North America and remain the largest rotating tramcars in the world.

In 2019, the Tramway’s Mountain Station began its first-ever renovation, which was completed in early 2023. Budgeted at $13 million, this effort was intended to not only bring electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems up to date, but to restore the original architectural vision of its noted Mid-Century architect, E. Stewart Williams.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We are very happy that the completion of our Mountain Station renovation has coincided with our 60th anniversary. Members of the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, our governing body, have worked for over a decade to make this a reality and what a wonderful way to welcome our 60th anniversary visitors.”

In celebration of the anniversary, a series of events and promotions are planned for September including giveaways for every 60th visitor, a 60th anniversary celebration quiz on the Tramway’s mobile app, a free 60th anniversary sticker for every visitor on September 12, continuous showings of the newly-restored original 1960s Tramway film “The Miracle at Palm Springs” in the Santa Rosa Theater, and other special displays and exhibits.

September 5th, 2023|Events|

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY REOPENS SEPTEMBER 1

Posted: Aug. 30, 2023

Labor Day Holiday Hours Observed During Opening Weekend

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen on Friday, September 1 after its annual maintenance closure. This first tram up will be at 10:00 a.m., the last tram up will be at 9:00 p.m., and the last tram down will be at 10:30 p.m.

During this year’s annual maintenance closure, completed projects include updating Tramway systems, hydraulic and brake servicing, and State permit testing.

Labor Day holiday hours will be observed on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3 with the first tram up at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up at 9:00 p.m., and the last tram down at 10:30 p.m. On Monday, September 4, the first tram up is at 8:00 a.m., two hours earlier than usual.

Also, Guided Nature Walks by Mt. San Jacinto State Park Volunteers end Sunday, September 3. These walks, which are conducted Sundays during summer months, 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 additional charge. Walks begin at the bottom of the concrete ramp.

August 30th, 2023|Events|
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