SANTA EVENTS AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Santa Visits the Tramway December 7 and 14
“Breakfast with Santa” returns to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Join Mr. and Mrs. Claus for breakfast, holiday crafts, and storybook readings. Breakfast with Santa tickets are $55 for adults and seniors, and $42 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is included. Advanced tickets are required and can be made by calling (760) 325-1449. Availability is limited.
Santa will also be visiting the Tramway’s Mountain Station on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Santa’s visit in Pines Café is included in general tram fare admission. Tram tickets are $32.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors, and $18.95 for children (ages 3-10). Children can share their Christmas lists with Santa himself, pose for photos, and receive a free candy cane.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Extended Hours and Special Holiday Dining
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate a special holiday schedule during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1. 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 Thanksgiving Day, November 28, Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and dinner at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—will be 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). The holiday menu includes a choice of oven-roasted turkey, maple-glazed ham or vegetarian lasagna; a selection of side dishes; and pumpkin pie for dessert. A fountain beverage, coffee or tea are included.
Peaks Restaurant will also serve a special Thanksgiving Day menu including a butternut squash soup or a walnut salad, oven-roasted turkey breast served with seasonal side dishes, and an option of an apple brown butter tart or pumpkin pie for dessert. Thanksgiving Day dining in Peaks Restaurant begins at 11:00 a.m. and is $51 for adults and seniors, and $26 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is not included. Peaks Restaurant will also serve its regular menu. Reservations are recommended for Thanksgiving Day dining in Peaks Restaurant. To reserve, please call 760-325-4537 or visit https://www.pstramway.com/dining/.
37TH ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE RESULTS
The winner of today’s 37th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Conner Blalock, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 29 minutes, 56 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was D’Arcy Hlavin in 39 minutes, 33 seconds. Demetrius Bribiesca finished first in the youngest category (19 and under) and Cherie Gruenfeld finished first in the oldest category (80-99).
This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:
| Age Groups | Name | City | Time |
| 19 and under M | Demetrius Bribiesca | Joshua Tree, CA | 00:35:15 |
| 19 and under F | Iona Hutton | Palm Desert, CA | 00:52:28 |
| 20-24 M | Ricardo Franco | Cathedral City, CA | 00:50:06 |
| 20-24 F | Biannca Guintu | Rancho Mirage, CA | 00:42:11 |
| 25-29 M | Ethan Waters | Los Angeles, CA | 00:34:41 |
| 25-29 F | Chanel Dupont | Cathedral City, CA | 00:50:06 |
| 30-34 M | Dennis Roth | San Diego, CA | 00:35:30 |
| 30-34 F | Adriana Marquez | Rancho Mirage, CA | 00:45:00 |
| 35-39 M | Eric Ogle | Hemet, CA | 00:38:55 |
| 35-39 F | Lacey Orson | Palm Desert, CA | 00:48:31 |
| 40-44 M | Sean Long | South Pasadena, CA | 00:35:02 |
| 40-44 F | Janice Ng | Honolulu, HI | 00:42:12 |
| 45-49 M | Jose Soto | Palm Springs, CA | 00:40:41 |
| 45-49 F | Kimberly Mileti | Palm Desert, CA | 00:41:51 |
| 50-54 M | Troy Fritzel | Anchorage, AK | 00:37:49 |
| 50-54 F | Catalina Stevenson | Phoenix, AZ | 00:41:51 |
| 55-59 M | Ricardo Rodriguez | Palm Springs, CA | 00:37:28 |
| 55-59 F | Tania McCormick | Rancho Mirage, CA | 00:43:58 |
| 60-64 M | Rich Suddock | Anchorage, AK | 00:38:20 |
| 60-64 F | Ellen Trecha | Charlevoix, MI | 00:47:15 |
| 65-69 M | John Groeneveld | Canmore | 00:43:09 |
| 65-69 F | Cynthia Marriott | Torrance, CA | 00:47:54 |
| 70-74 M | James Maxwell | San Diego, CA | 00:48:45 |
| 70-74 F | Sandy Robbins-Sydner | Apple Valley, CA | 00:54:16 |
| 75-79 M | Paul Beer | Palm Springs, CA | 00:52:55 |
| 75-79 F | Jeanne Maxwell | San Diego, CA | 01:04:40 |
| 80-99 F | Cherie Gruenfeld | Cathedral City, CA | 01:06:45 |
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.
841 runners and walkers entered the 2024 Tram Road Challenge.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY REOPENS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Annual Preventative Maintenance Concludes
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen on Friday, October 18, 2024, one day earlier than previously announced. The first tram up will be at 10:00 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. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.
Completed projects during the 2024 preventative maintenance closure include replacement of 4 tension ropes, maintenance and testing on the gearbox, and track rope repositioning, among other essential tasks.
“We are pleased to announce that our reopening date has been moved up by one day,” stated General Manager Nancy Nichols. “We extend our gratitude to our visitors for their patience as our Tramway Systems team diligently completed all necessary projects. We eagerly anticipate welcoming both new and returning visitors to the Tramway and the beautiful Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness.”
