Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Closes Through Sept. 1

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will be closed most of August for its annual maintenance, officials announced Monday.

The tramway will be closed starting Aug. 7 and is expected to reopen Sept. 1 at 10 a.m.

The maintenance closure allows for training and planning in other departments for the upcoming season while maintenance and tramway systems teams make necessary updates and general maintenance and maintain proper permits, according to tramway vice president of tramway Systems Chris Bartsch.

"During this year's shutdown, we will be performing our annual state-permit testing," Bartsch said in a statement. "Additionally, the tramway control systems will be updated, the gearbox will undergo a rebuild, and the cables will be tested."

The last day before the closure is Aug. 6.

Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols discussed the reasoning for the closure. "The maintenance closure allows for training and planning in other departments for the upcoming season while maintenance and tramway systems teams make necessary updates and general maintenance,

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world's largest rotating tram car. It travels over two miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park wilderness.

It takes about ten minutes to make the ride, and during that time, the car rotates slowly, offering views of the valley floor.

Why do people go up? At the top, the Mountain Station—8,516 feet—offers two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, documentary theaters, and a gift shop. Once you arrive, there are more than 50 miles of hiking trails, and the trams can take you back down once you've completed your exploration.

Residents and visitors have less than a week before the closure begins on Aug. 6. Hop onboard the Aerial Tramway at 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs.