Local & Community
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Reopens After Annual Maintenance
It’s a day many tourists — and plenty of Coachella Valley locals — have been waiting for. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is back open after a month-long closure for its annual preventative maintenance.
NBC Palm Springs was there as the first tram car returned to service, ready to take passengers from the Valley Station up to the scenic forests of Mount San Jacinto.
The tram rises to an elevation of 8,516 feet, and temperatures at the top can be 30 to 40 degrees cooler than in the valley.
The journey also takes passengers through five distinct climatic zones, from the Sonoran Desert to an alpine environment. Along the way, visitors can watch the vegetation and wildlife change as the elevation increases.
For some regular visitors, the tram’s reopening is more than just a seasonal attraction.
One frequent visitor says he hikes about four miles a day at the top and has been feeding two ravens there for nine years.
“I hate it when it closes. It’s like missing my family,” he said.
The approximately 10-minute ride takes passengers aboard the world’s largest rotating tram cars, offering views of the Coachella Valley during the trip.
Weekday service begins at 10 a.m., with earlier service at 8 a.m. on Saturdays.
For schedules and ticket information, visit pstramway.com.
By: NBC Palm Springs
October 5, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
CALIFORNIA IS AGING FAST... BUT WHERE WILL THE WORKFORCE LIVE? #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #agingpopulation #nbcpalmsprings
119 jobs on the line and DRD’s General Manager won’t answer questions … Drop a comment 👇: Would you vote YES or NO on giving a district more money if they refuse to answer transparency questions? #therogginreport #drd #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
Help us choose the next NBC Palm Springs Fan of the Week! Vote for Video 1, 2, 3 or 4. The fan with the most votes will win a pair of tickets to next week’s Coachella Valley Firebirds game! Voting ends Thursday. Who’s your pick?
Spirit Halloween has revealed its top Halloween costume trends for 2026, and pop culture is driving the picks. Off Campus, Toy Story, K-pop Demon Hunters, superheroes, Greek gods and warriors — and plenty of Dolly Partons — are expected to be popular. What are you dressing up as this Halloween? #Halloween2026 #SpiritHalloween #HalloweenCostumes #nbcpalmsprings
After a car drove through a walkway, damaging Bill’s Pizza, the restaurant appears to have begun repairs and is still open the following day. The neighboring store, Gallivant was also damaged and is closed until Monday. The store has a gofundme page opened for them by a neighboring bookstore to support the cost of the damages. NBC Palm Springs is following the effects of this accident and what this means to the Palm Springs community. #billspizza #palmsprings #continuingcoverage #localnews #coachellavalley
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are using bioengineered baker's yeast to break down plastic into ingredients for cookies.
Camden, Arkansas, is the unlikely hub of US missile manufacturing after years of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have drained the country's arsenal. But the Trump administration's push to scale up defense production is colliding with the limits of the small, rural town.
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will 1) Devin Session with the diving TD, 2) Mason Flores with the dot on the run, 3) Reese Johnson with the clutch FG, 4) Kaylaun Smith running over defenders, or 5) Joshua Perez with the TD throw. #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
🏒🔥 LET’S HEAR FROM TIM O’BRIEN! We’re kicking off Coachella Valley Firebirds Opening Night and catching up with Tim O’Brien! Hear what he has to say as the Firebirds get ready to hit the ice for another exciting season. 🏒🔥 #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #Firebirds #OpeningNight #Hockey #CoachellaValley PalmSprings CVFirebirds
SHARE this reel to help find ‘The Fab 5’ a home! 🐶🤍 #therogginreport #palmsprings #dogrescue #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings