GIOVANNI VIRGEN APPOINTED TO PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY GOVERNING BOARD
PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 6, 2025) The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has announced the appointment of Giovanni Virgen to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Born in Palm Springs, Virgen has lived most of his life in the Coachella Valley. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and currently works for Armtec Defense Technologies in Coachella, California as a Manufacturing Engineer. According to Virgen, “Over the course of my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the U.S. Army, public works agencies, and various other government agencies. I’m now looking forward to serving my community and the wonderful people who work tirelessly to make the Palm Springs Tramway the modern marvel that it is today.”
The Authority was created by the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority Act Ch. 1040 of the Statutes of 1945, as amended by Ch. 70 of the Statutes of 1947 and Ch.1004 of 1951, of the State of California. Two members of the Authority are appointed by the Palm Springs City Council, two by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and three by the California Governor.
The State appointees are Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Jeff Ohlfs; the (second) County appointee is Jonathan Hoy; and the City appointees are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY SNOW GUESSING CONTEST ENDS
Four Winners Announced
- Alena Callimanis of La Quinta
- The Larson Family of La Quinta
- Jo Wheet of Palm Springs
- Martina Jimenez of Hemet
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Special Hours and Holiday Dining for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate on a special holiday schedule December 21 through January 5. The first tram up each day will be at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up will be at 8:00 p.m., and the last tram down will be at 9:30 p.m.
On December 25 and January 1, Ride ’n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—are available for purchase from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dinner service begins at 11:00 a.m. Combination tickets are $41 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children (ages 3-10).
Peaks Restaurant will serve special holiday dining menus on December 25 and January 1. Holiday dining in Peaks Restaurant begins at 11:00 a.m. and is $79 for adults and seniors. A separate menu for children ages 3-10 is also available. Tram fare is not included. Peaks Restaurant will also continue to serve its regular menu. Reservations are recommended for holiday dining on December 25 and January 1 in Peaks Restaurant. To make a reservation, call 760-325-4537 or visit https://pstramway.com/dining/.
REMINDER: Choir performances kick off the holiday season December 4, and continue Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays through December 15. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by KESQ’s Patrick Evans takes place December 8 with “American Idol” winner Abi Carter lighting the Tram’s landmark 45-foot tree comprised of over 4,000 LED lights.
“SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS” BEGINS DECEMBER 4
High School Choirs Perform Holiday Favorites at 8,516 Feet
The holiday choir season begins December 4 at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station, continuing a decades-long seasonal tradition. Visitors can enjoy holiday favorites performed by high school choirs on select dates through December 15.
For the 2024 holiday season, the Tramway is proud to present the following line-up:
• Wednesday, December 4 – Martin Luther King High School Choir
• Thursday, December 5 – La Quinta High School Chamber Singers
• Sunday, December 8 – Palm Springs High School Choir and String Quartette
• Wednesday, December 11 – Cathedral City High School Choirs
• Thursday, December 12 – Coachella Valley High School Concert Choir
• Sunday, December 15 – Encore High School for the Arts Madrigals
Showtimes are at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and are included with regular Tram admission. Performances are on the Pines Café Stage with food and beverage available for purchase from either Pines Café or the Lookout Lounge. (Note: The December 8 performance is outside on the Desert View Terrace at 5:30 p.m. as part of the tree lighting ceremony. There will also be a 7:30 p.m. performance inside).
