SECOND ANNUAL AUTUMNFEST ON NOVEMBER 7
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Host German-Themed Event
On Saturday, November 7, celebrate AutumnFest at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This annual event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pines Café and features a three-course German meal accompanied by live music from polka band “Bavarian Stew.”
Choose from traditional dishes like bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzel, and more. Each meal also includes a slice of German chocolate cake and a Bavarian pretzel roll.
Tickets are $46 for adults and $32.50 for children (ages 3 – 10). Admission includes the three-course meal and tram fare.
For full menu, please click below.
Polka to an oompah band, join a stein holding contest and sample authentic German delicacies and specialty beers in an Alpine wonderland.
39TH ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE RESULTS
2026 Tram Road Challenge Winners
The winner of the 39th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Amelio Chio of Cathedral City who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 28 minutes, 8 seconds. The second-place male finisher was J.J. Santana of Henderson, NV, and third place was Alberto Martinez of Coachella. The first-place female finisher was Jade Belzberg of Fort Langley, BC with a time of 30 minutes, 42 seconds. The second-place female finisher was Camille Shiflett of Quilcene, WA, and third place was Paulina Ansley of Palm Desert.
This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:
|
Age Groups |
Name |
City |
Time |
|
19 and under M |
Nathan Casimiro |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:34:51 |
|
19 and under F |
Gwen Rouse |
Delano, CA |
00:45:35 |
|
20-24 M |
Kyle Samida |
East Meadow, NY |
00:37:10 |
|
20-24 F |
Mia Limon |
Rancho Mirage, CA |
00:50:03 |
|
25-29 M |
Dominick Servin |
La Quinta, CA |
00:40:22 |
|
25-29 F |
Jasmine Owings |
Palm Springs, CA |
00:47:21 |
|
30-34 M |
Jose Vieyra |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:37:40 |
|
30-34 F |
Betania Rizo |
Indio, CA |
00:43:28 |
|
35-39 M |
Nickademus De La Rosa |
Langley, VA |
00:33:21 |
|
35-39 F |
Zarabeth Hurtado |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:44:04 |
|
40-44 M |
Leonel Casimiro |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:36:24 |
|
40-44 F |
Jennifer Irvine |
Morongo Valley, CA |
00:41:36 |
|
45-49 M |
Perry Scanlon |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:40:53 |
|
45-49 F |
Letiwe Patton |
Indio, CA |
00:42:57 |
|
50-54 M |
Alex Greaney |
Riverside, CA |
00:41:23 |
|
50-54 F |
Jennifer Reinhardt |
Encinitas, CA |
00:56:29 |
|
55-59 M |
Tim Jacobson |
Avon, CO |
00:41:37 |
|
55-59 F |
Mamiko Berger |
Sedona, AZ |
00:42:49 |
|
60-64 M |
Richard Suddock |
Anchorage, AK |
00:39:33 |
|
60-64 F |
Maria Himelman |
Cathedral City, CA |
00:47:13 |
|
65-69 M |
Bill Carlson |
La Quinta, CA |
00:40:51 |
|
65-69 F |
Susan Nelson |
Palm Springs, CA |
00:58:37 |
|
70-74 M |
Charles Springer |
Whittier, CA |
00:52:51 |
|
70-74 F |
Jamie Riedell |
Bloomington, IL |
00:57:08 |
|
75-79 M |
Paul Beer |
Palm Springs, CA |
00:51:58 |
|
75-79 F |
Sandy Robbins-Sydner |
Apple Valley, CA |
01:00:05 |
|
80-99 M |
Jim Sydner |
Apple Valley, CA |
01:06:40 |
|
80-99 F |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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.
1,066 runners and walkers registered for the 2026 Tram Road Challenge.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE SET FOR OCTOBER 17
39th Edition of Scenic 6K Run/Walk
The 39th annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with a start time of 7:00 a.m. (walkers start at 6:30 a.m.). This 6K run/walk begins at the bottom of Tram Way and ends at the Tram’s Valley Station, an elevation increase of over 1,900 feet in just 3.7 miles. Registration is open now through race day.
Special finishers’ medals will be presented to all participants along with a 2026 Tram Road Challenge T-shirt. Participants will also enjoy a finish line festival with vendor booths and complimentary breakfast snacks. Immediately following the race, awards for the top three finishers in each age group will be given out to those registered in the Awards Eligible category.
Tram Way will be closed until (approximately) 11:00 a.m. on race day, with the first tram car up to the Mountain Station shortly after the road opens. Spectator shuttles will run from 5:30-6:00 a.m. from the Palm Springs Visitors Center (all spectators and participants will be directed to nearby parking lots).
For more information or to register for the race, please visit www.tramroadchallenge.com.
ANNUAL SNOW GUESSING CONTEST BEGINS OCTOBER 1
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Continues Yearly Tradition
For those dreaming of a winter wonderland in the desert heat, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest begins October 1. The contest continues until the first measurable inch of snow falls at the Tramway’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet.
The first ten guests to accurately select the date of snowfall will win four regular Tram admission tickets, plus a special Tram gift. If there are more than ten correct entries, winners will be chosen by the earliest postmark date.
To submit an entry, write your best-guess date on a postcard and mail it to: Snow Guessing Contest, 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Please note that only one date per postcard will be accepted. For more information and contest rules, click link below.
Enter now for an opportunity to gather friends and family for a snow day, just a 10-minute tram ride from the valley floor.
