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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
73 reviews for Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Dude this tram ride was scary for me! I'm afraid of heights ok? I wasn't alone, you'd see the others grabbing the center rail closing their eyes. What made this even more scary for me was that we were just hanging from a cable. Just something freaky about that. What if it breaks and falls? What if it just gets stuck!? O well didn't happen so who cares right?
Anyways we took the tram up during sunset which was more scary because i could still see everything. The rotating tram makes it even more special nobody can hide from the views below! Can someone please close the window next time that was freaky feeling that cold air rush in. Don't forget a jacket in late october it was a frosty 51° at the top ya'll.
The tram really is a cool, must-do when in Palm Springs. It is literally the coolest thing that you will do in Palm Springs. While the valley floor was over 100 degrees, the top was a nice 70ish.
The tram ride was fun as the floor rotated and the towers made the tram sway back and forth. The perspectives that the tram allows you are priceless. On my ride there wasn't any snow to be seen, but the rock spires and the valley below were great to look at from up high.
Once you're at the top, there's some exhibits and a short movie that you can watch about the Mt. San Jacinto Park's biodiversity. If you're able, make some time to hike around the park and/or summit the peak. The park is beautiful and you'll get more value out of your expensive tram ride ticket.
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This ride will be a highlight of your visit to Palm Springs. Take this in as the beginning and end of a hike through part of the national forest at the top of the tramway ride (Mt. San Jacinto). The views from the top are exhilarating, and the restaurant there does a good job as well.
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This is one of those things everyone should do at least once. On the way up, if you are looking forward, you may think that the tram car is going to crash into one of the mountain peaks just in front of you. But, the car is going up at such a steep incline, you sail over the top of it.
If you are looking for Disneyland at the top, this ain't it. You can look at the exhibits, watch a short movie about how they built the tramway over 40 years ago, and walk around outside. Once you hike down the fairly steep incline to Long Valley, the nature trails are fairly flat and easy to get around. There are several places where you can look out over the valley below. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Potosi, north of Las Vegas! Look to the north-northeast. If you feel really adventurous, it is possible to hike the 9 miles to Idyllwild from Long Valley.
Just remember, the air temperature at the top is like 40 degrees cooler than down in Palm Springs, so dress appropriately. You can check the current weather conditions at http://www.pstramway.com/ and also look at the Tramcams to see what it looks like up there.
For anyone who is local or visits the area frequently, the summer pass for $60 is a good deal; unlimited tram rides from May 1-Aug. 31. Whenever I want to cool off, I just go up there. It's more convenient than going to the beach. Not as much surf, though. They also have a year-round pass for $150. Since the regular price is $22.95 per ride, it doesn't take long to start saving money.
Now, OK -- the restaurants at the top aren't all that good. Remember, all the food and water has to come up the tram cars, and all the trash has to go down the same way. The logistics of this can and do put a strain on their operation. There are plenty of restaurants in the valley and I prefer those to the Mountain Station food. You can, of course, bring your own picnic lunch.
What I really enjoy is staying until just after dark. Hiking then is pretty much out of the question, but sitting on the deck, watching the beautiful sunsets and the city lights coming on down below is quite a memorable experience. Do it if you can.
Also, don't go wandering off the trails. This is Tahquitz season, so stay out of the deep woods. "Tahquitz" is the local Indian name for "Sasquatch," or as we say in our tongue, "Bigfoot." They don't like people and generally stay away from us, but just don't go intruding into their territory.
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Wonderful Saturday there.
Be sure to go for a walk in the meadows behind the building. It is most enjoyable.
As for great food on top, well, you cannot have everything.
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Taking the Tram to the top of San Jacinto State Park is a MUST DO thing while in PS.
If you visit PS in the Summer, you'll leave the heat in the valley and experience temps in the 70s and 80s.
If you visit PS in the cooler seasons, you leave the 70s and 80s of the valley to the 30s and 40s of the mountains, with snow in the winter.
For about $30, you can get a Tram ticket and dinner at the buffet at the top. The Tram ride is awesome (take pics!!) and the dinner is, ..... well.....it's just OK.
Walk thru the park trails, take more pics, and visit the giftshop before you leave.
WARNING: The top Tram Station is over 8000 Ft. in elevation. At that elevation, even a healthy heart tends to beat faster, with breaths a little harder to catch. The Tram is NOT recommend for those with health issues , heart problems, or the elderly.
Totally amazing! One of the coolest things I've ever done. Certainly one of the major highlights of our trip here. Once we got up to the top we started hiking and saw a momma and 2 baby deer & it was breathtaking. The views are simply amazing. You feel like you're on top of the world. If you are not a fan of heights, you're trip up may be a bit rough. It's not for the faint of heart. Worth every penny and I am so glad that we did it. The restaurant is also worth checking out. Food wasn't bad and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. Do not come to Palm Springs without doing this!
Majestic aerial views as one ascends in a state of the art tram that slowly rotates so you don't need to walk around inside the spacious cabin. You get what you pay for: I think it's about $14-16 per person. Ask for AAA discount. The fine dining restaurant is first class and the service is superb. There is cabin burgers and mtn food at the top plus a well stocked gift shop of various trinkets. There are trails and hiking behind the cabin at the top but I think it requires a moderate skilled hiker. I haven't been. It's wonderful in the winter and summer. If you go in the summer it's 100 degrees in Palm Springs and 80 in the mtns. Well worth it. YOU MUST CALL to check to see it the tram is operating...do not rely on website.
Wow, what a great experience...the floor rotates so u kan see the view from all around...my sister got a little scared when the tram rocked because she's afraid of heights and there are very few places to sit but it's such an amazing experience...and the view is like none other...
when u get up there u kan hike and see all these different animals...the hike however is strenuous for those that aren't fit...there are also people that go camping here...drive slowly up and down the hill because the roads can be narrow...
the tram is not air conditioned but the higher you get the cooler it is...truly worth the $ and a must do when you go to palm springs
Absolutely breathtaking and stunning. Go during Fall or Winter it's so beautiful.
What a blast! I was driving back from AZ and figured I get out and stretch my legs at 8000 feet up. A MUST DO! The car you take up spins slowly so you're getting a 360 degree view on the way up and down. Hiked a little and climbed around the rocks. Good times!
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Worth the trip. Incredible views and 20 degrees cooler than the desert floor. Take lots of pictures and don't think too much about the fact that you are suspended over sharp rocks by a rather thin cord. . . Really worth the view!
Beautiful for a day away with a great walking option to hike long or short with a great drink and meal at the end. This is not for the weak the hiking paths but certainly there are do-able paths for everyone. The view and the aerial tram are unbelievable!
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We went to San Jacinto via tramway because we wanted to experience something that was a Palm Springs tourist attraction. I'm scared of heights but found the Tramway relaxing and fun to ride.
I guess I'm not a desert person because I didn't find the views particularly beautiful and the hike we took was just alright. Of course the food at the cafe we ate at was overpriced and the quality was piss poor.
Would I recommend it again? No.
It's the world's longest or steepest or something or other that I can't remember but was impressive.
My husband, who hates roller coasters, was able to do this. You can't be afraid of heights, but it is a relatively smooth ride. (There is a small whoop feeling when you get to one of the 4 exchange polls).
The view is spectacular. And if you can get the car full of people to shut up so you can hear, there is a recording that tells you neat facts.
Just make sure you get up against the window for a good view. It doesn't matter which window, it rotates 360 degrees as it moves up. Also very cool.
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Just so you know. Avoid going here on a holiday. I spent 3 hours waiting for my tram, but once you get on that thing man it was great. Looking from the bottom you could barely see the top.
What's not to love? As you go up you feel the fresh mountain air on your face. You see the view of Palm Springs getting smaller and smaller. If you are lucky like I was, you get to see some snow on the mountain. To tell you the truth...it looked like snow. When I got to the top, it was just snow in compacted ice form that hurts when you punch it. Yeah punching ice = ouch.
At the top there are mediocre restaurants, but a fantastic view. You could try their food, it's like upgraded cafeteria food from elementary school.
Overall, the $22 dollar ticket is a steep price just to ride a tram up and then down. Since I didn't pay for my ticket it was a win!
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My family and I used to come here all the time... I really didn't appreciate it when I was younger but now I do. While visiting the desert recently my son and I came here. He has never been so I thought that he would like the tram ride.. Plus there was snow on the mountain. The tram is certainly just one of the many gems here in the Coachella Valley. Cost of a ticket for adults was $22 if you want to do the ride and dine package then the ticket is $35. Which is worth it because more than likely you will eat something once on top of the mountain.
If you are like I deathly afraid of heights then sorry.... The cable car climbs at what seems like a turtles pace up to the very top of the mountain. I was trying to retain my composure because there were some moments there that I was a little freaked out about because of the height factor. I didn't want my son see me nervous. So, I did a lot of "this is cool isn't it" ... The view once you get over the fear of heights is beautiful. It was snowing a bit when we came so that was fun.. Snow in Palm Springs.... Funny but it happens!
I think that the Tram is a perfect getaway destination anytime of the year. In the summer it takes you away from boiling 120 degree heat to cool fresh mountain air... It's perfect!
NOTE: Dress warm...
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Highly recommended for anyone - even scardie cats like me who are afraid of heights.
I've been going to the desert for years now for weekend golf/ spa trips. I had a guest come into town and we decided to head east for some heat. I thought the tram would be something different.
To sum up - great views, fun ride up and down, and it's a different world way up there. Bring a heavy sweater or light jacket if you're going during the Spring Summer or Fall.
Tip on the drive down -- down shift and don't ride your brakes - save your brakes for when you really need 'em.
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Dear Tram,
I didn't even know you existed till a friend told me about you. Even still I thought he was totally kidding.
The tram ride is a pleasant experience if you have some time to waste. It can get pretty chilly up there depending on the season so plan accordingly! Once up there, if you are into walking around and enjoying the scenery this will be up your alley.
Keep on tramming!
-Ed
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***Actual Rating 3.5 stars***
Finally visited the aerial tram over the weekend with a friend from NY. I was kinda dissappointed, I expected more from this (not sure where I got that form tho). I guess I would of enjoyed it more if I wasn't so tired from the night before and especially after getting stuck in traffic. The aerial tram didn't wow me too much but I had a good time and enjoyed it. We decided to just wandering around and climbed up some of the rocks and just sat there inhaling the fresh air. It seems like it would make a good place for hiking or camping, so maybe one of these days I'll be back for that.
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Great experience! But gave me a little headache on the way down. Other than that, I would say..over come your fear of heights here! You will not regret it.
Minus one star in reference to the Side Note:
-1 *: Try to eat before you come up. I would not recommend eating here at the Peaks restaurant for lunch (Don't know about dinner, but I did not like lunch). Take a look at my previous review about the restaurant there.
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I love coming here. Where else can you pull up after a gorgeous drive on a sunny day and get in a clean, well-run, rotating tram and make your way up to a snowy wonderland?
The trip up is beautiful - you get to see both a rocky mountainside and a constantly changing eco-world, as well as a breathtaking view of the entire Coachella Valley. You can feel it get cooler as you make your way up - it's such a cool experience.
We were here on a Thursday and there was almost no one here. I have been before on a weekend and it was substantially busier but not unmanageable. We walked around in the snow, trying to follow a path but not willing to risk becoming casualties to wander too far into the woods. There was about a foot of very icy snow on the ground - it was too hard for a snowman but we managed to chisel out a couple of snowballs.
If you go after 3pm, you save $3 per person. Now that the sun sets at 7ish, it's totally worth it.
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Without a doubt. the most outstanding experience you can have in the desert! Unexpectedly exciting and beautiful, it is something you have to do.
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Few years ago with our softball tournament (Big League Dreams - Catherdral City) concluding on a Sunday, opted to visit the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway before heading home. SO, after the pretty babe watched me play ball, wanted to extend the weekend further by riding on this Aerial Tram.
Boarded the Tram and off we're headed to the top of the mountain. My exterior posture and demeanor was like Fonzy... cool. However, the inside of me was like Tina Turner hiding in the closet from Ike Turner... es-SCARED!!!! Okay, it goes from sea-level to approximately 10,000 feet elevation in about 7/8 minutes... Hmm. I am not a math genious by any stretch of the mind, but common sense tells me thats almost 1200 feet per minute, so a direct shot up! Anyways, continuing up the tram rotates 360 degrees so its a perfect opportunity to take pictures of the mountain structure, or Palm Springs landscape in general. Great Pictures I tell you.
Let me warn you though... its not a big deal, but to some it may be. The tram has 5 brigdes/towers that it has to cross. However on the 3rd bridge, man that tram rocks back and forth. And, these bridges/Towers are located on the edge of the mountain, so one can imagine how much more intensive this tram ride may be. lol.
Finally we get there, take a walk around the trail for an hour then time to head back down to sea level. Here's the secret, the best way to head down if your afraid of heights in stand in the middle! No nervous feeling what-so-ever! Guaranteed!
5 stars for a life time experience, beautifuls scenery, and for making me scare of heights! LOL. Its all worth it!
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I had no idea that so many Europeans visited Palm Springs. Going on the tram made me feel like I was a tourist in a foreign country, which sort of made it more exciting. Anyway, the tram is great, and whisks you away from the stifling desert heat to the top of a mountain that is a good 30 degrees cooler. Hello happiness! The views are phenomenal, and totally worth checking out.
What's not to love?
A magical tram lifts you above the dust and heat of Palm Springs and transports you to a mountain top area that's a good 25 degrees cooler than where you were 10 minutes before. Plus they have HUGE pine cones up there. I'm serious. There's, like, a foot long. It's weird.
Get up there, hike around, recharge your batteries. Then descend back into the hellish desert temperatures.
Oh, plus you get to meet Jeff if you hike around too! (http://static.px.yelp....)
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I was a bit hesitant to spend the $22 per person to go to a top of a mountain in the desert. On the way up I wanted to be near a window. My mistake. The tram rotates. So if you're afraid of heights, stand near the centre and you won't see out as much. When we were at the bottom it was quite warm but when we got to the top it was somewhat chillier. We want on a hike so we warmed up pretty fast. I would recommend a hoody of some sort if you're going up in the fall/winter time.
I totally recommend taking the tram. It's very touristy but really cool. We did a one mile in and one mile back hike. It was awesome! I will do this again if I come out to PS. So worth it!
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I'm not really a Palm Springs kind of guy. I can do without 50's kitsch, boatloads of senior citizens driving Cadillacs, and oppressive heat. And if I want to frolic amongst the gay crowd, the Castro will do quite nicely, thanks.
I don't want to get too preachy here, but perhaps the most disturbing thing about Palm Springs is the colossal waste of water which has been unnaturally diverted there to turn otherwise barren desert into lush green golf links and fake tropics.
But I am a colossal cheapskate. So, when we got an invitation from the Starwood Corporation to spend an extended weekend at the Westin Mission Hills Resort for almost zero cost in the vain hope that they could sell me a timeshare, I booked the flight and went.
We checked in Friday, played a ton of tennis, got in a workout at their cool outdoor gym, had a few nice meals and had a grand time mocking everything around us.
When the concierge suggested the Palm Springs Tramway which would take us several thousand feet up in to the San Jacinto State Park where there was a "nice nature walk," I scoffed. How Disneyland could this place get?
But we went anyway, and it was the highlight of the trip. It is pretty amazing to load a tram car and be taken from the desert floor to 8,700 feet above sea level in a matter of minutes. We were warned that it could be 30 or 40 degrees cooler up top, so we threw on a light sweater, thinking that it might be 55-60 degrees up top.
Uh, no. It was 34 degrees! After buying some thin gloves and a hat in the gift shop at the top of the tram, we set out on the 2 mile "nature trail."
Much to our delight, it turns out that there are over 50 miles of rugged, well maintained wilderness trails! We stopped in at the small ranger station, picked up a permit, and hiked over 13 miles, including a climb to the top of San Jacinto Peak at 10,700 feet. The hiking is as remote and pristine as any we have ever done in the Sierras, with amazing granite formations and spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valley floor.
Since most people ride the tram, eat lunch and walk around a little bit - never leaving the nature path - it was nearly empty on the trails. We ran in to a few people doing what we were doing and some others who had spent a few nights camping in this beautiful, remote wilderness.
Six happy and exhausted hours later, we returned to the tram for the ride back to the desert to resume our adventure in scoffing at the over-irrigated desert landscape and its inhabitants.
And let me tell you, there is no better adventure in judgmental mockery than spending 90 minutes on a time-share tour.
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It's a queasy thrill being pulled up the side of a 8,500 foot mountain in the tram car. The bottom rotates to guarantee you will get to see all angles of your ascent/descent. Loved every minute of it!!
Make sure you hike some trails when you get to the top!
This is the number one tourist attraction in the Coachella Valley and as such can get busy especially between Christmas and New Year's. We went New Year's day and scored a close parking spot. However, the next tram we were able to get on was two hours out (it was 2:45 and the tickets were for the 4:40 tram - the sun sets at 5!). We bought the tickets anyway, thinking we would wait it out. When we saw the crowds and kids waiting on the patio with snow gear and plastic sleds, we decided to come back the next morning.
We came back on January 2nd and rode the 8:40 tram up to the top. Parking was easy, there were no crowds and the ride up was spectacular. We took photos, walked around a bit and decided to head back down. We were the only three on the tram, other than the operator. She asked us if we wanted the floor to rotate (we didn't) or if we wanted the music/narration (we didn't want that either.) We had the entire tram to ourselves and could take photos to our heart's content! We thanked her when we got out for the private ride - which is usually only for celebrities or big donors.
If you're going to do this during a holiday week, go early. The scenery is spectacular, the ride is fun, and you will see a lot when the tram cars are not busy. Go for the view, not the food - you'll have a good time.
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Short Version: What a view! What a ride! I hate heights!
Long Version: Alright, I don't really hate heights, but if you do, make sure to grab onto the rails inside the tram because you're in for the rotating cabin ride of your life. Yep, it rotates all the way up and down, and it goes much faster than you think it would. The folks here are really friendly, you get to take a really cheesy photo while you're there, and it's a mainly smooth ride. And don't worry, the cables are more than strong enough to support the weight of all those people on the tram with you. Although, it does seem rather crowded in the cabin. And the tram is rocking an awful lot every time it passes one of the support towers; is it supposed to do that? And can those towers really hold all this weight safely? And how about those cables; they seem too skinny to do the job safely, tram after tram, day after day, year after year. And what about...
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My husband and I went on the Tram on Tuesday the 11th and had a super time. We only wish we would have brought walking shoes and a backpack with a picnic lunch to enjoy all the trails at the top. Luckily we both did have light jackets as the temperature at the top was a chilly 42 compared to the 72 degrees at the bottom of the hill. (there was a little snow on the groudn up there) We split a large sandwich & chips and had a couple of beers at the cafe on top. Pretty large sandwich and fair prices. The drive up to the departure station is a long windy road. The drive down will test the brakes on your car. One word: Downshift!
btw, don't be afraid of the spinning. It really helps that everyone gets a nice view.
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The tram ride is really amazing. The rotating floor in the gondola is a trip. I wouldn't recommend this experience to a person that has a phobia of heights. Once you get up to the peak, it's like you're transported to an Alpine forest. You can hike and I think some people even camp there. It's a beautiful place to spend the day.
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It's alot of fun to get on the tram to escape the heat down below.
There are some nice easy walking trails to go on.
We even saw people that were going to go rock climbing.
They had even brought their own mats to land on.
Before you get on the tram, they take a picture of your group.
When you get up to the station, you can view the picture they took of you.
The background is of the tram and park.
It's actually a pretty nice picture.
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Worth the $20-ish ticket to ride the tram. Worth even more if you come prepared for a hike, cool temps, and a picnic. The views are spectacular and there's lots of opportunity to take Christmas-card-ready portraits of you and your loved ones.
The only disappointment was the food at the restaurant. They offer a cafeteria, bar, and a fancier restaurant to choose from. We decided to try to fancy place, and were disappointed at the quality of the food. We ordered a wrap sandwich with orzo side; we received a cold, pre-made wrap which had clearly been "resting" in a fridge for a while. Not worth the $15 pricetag. And with tourists outside blocking the view from the restaurant patio, it diminished the main selling point of the fancy reaturant - which was the front and center view.
All in all - I highly recommend the trip - but bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the beautiful outdoor setting.
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this was really awesome. my bf and i went up here on our second day for a mountain hike and the views from up there are unbelievable. this was for sure a highlight to our trip.
if you love nature and spectacular views - and in palm springs - this is a must. we went up in early march and i'd love to check it out in the summertime with no snow. can't wait to go back!
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We went snowshoeing yesterday, and it was awesome. I've been to Big Bear before, and really hate the drive up there. Driving to Palm Springs and taking the Aerial Tramway up to the top is just about the easiest way to get to snow. Rent your stuff before you go up. REI or Adventure 16 has all the gear.
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Let me start this off and say I HATE HEIGHTS so for me to go on this was a miracle, really. Went here with fam over the weekend. But I'm glad I went on it's neat to see the view going up and down the mountain. Going up the mountain we didn't see much since there was no room to stand by the window. However, going down we were able to stand at the window and enjoy the view. I wasn't really worried about the height issue since I was with my family and it was nice looking at the scenery. Maybe I'm one step closer to getting my fear of heights. Yay!
But anyway, once you get to the top you can walk around and even take a hike. We didn't walk too much since there were like 10 of us and my one year old cousin, so we didn't want to walk to far down and struggle to walk up. I wouldn't have mind if I had my tennis shoes on, but I was wearing flip flops, not the best choice to walk around a mountain in.
If you're in Palm Springs and want to do something nature related, this is worth checking out.
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Fun experience as long as you don't have a fear of heights. The car is sometimes suspended several hundred feet over gorges. Great view of the desert, the car even rotates so everyone gets to experience the best views. When we rode there were supplies stowed in a compartment on top with an employee tethered to the top as well, he must have been really cold! Well worth the cost to experience. Skip the food at the top, nothing special there...
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I grew up in Palm Springs, so getting to the top of a mountain to look down on it is not the most exciting thing ever, but it was a cool experience I guess. The new remodeled trams are awesome and definitely made me feel safer than the old ones, that's for sure. They sway a lot less so you don't have this inherent feeling that you're going to plunge to your death at any moment, making the whole experience much more enjoyable than it once was. The best part about it is the access to the snow in the winter! Desert kids definitely don't see it much, so being able to get to it in 15 minutes and go sledding is great. If I were a little older and had a family, I think it would be a great way to spend a Saturday with the kids.
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