Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed indefinitely due to storm damage

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will be closed indefinitely due to extensive damage caused by Thursday’s storm.

“Due to the recent rainstorm and flooding on Mt. San Jacinto, Tramway Road sustained damage making it impassable for any vehicle or pedestrian,” read the statement issued by a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway official. “Consequently, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will remain closed for an indefinite period until road repairs can be made.”

Thursday, officials had announced that the Tram would be closed Thursday and Friday due to the heavy rains and flooding.

A chunk of tramway road is gone.

“A few hundred feet before our security gate there was a flash flood area that took out about 20 feet of the road,” said Greg Purdy and Cara Youngman, a part of the public relations team for the Tram.

Purdy says the road is private property and will be repaired with ticket-purchase profits. It’s currently not known when the repairs will begin, none the less be complete.

“Our goal is to get this thing open as soon as possible, to make sure it’s safe and to get people enjoying palm springs’ signature attraction again,” Purdy said.

Running list of Coachella Valley, regional road closures

Employees were helicoptered up and down the mountain.

“That’s quite a commute, but it’s a very scenic route, I will say,” said Greg Purdy and Cara Youngman, two employees at the Tram.

Purdy and Youngman said the helicopter was the only way to the top of the tramway.

Visitors like Tatiana Danilevskaya and her husband arrived all the way from Russia just to find out the attraction is closed. Danilevskaya said they were expecting much different weather for their trip. The pair was also hoping they would get to check a tramway ride off their bucket list.

“This is our first day in Palm Springs and we came to try the tramway because we saw a lot of information that it’s really nice, but unfortunately something happened,” Danilevskaya said.

Youngman wanted to send a message to people who aren’t able to enjoy the attraction.

“We’re so sorry for the inconvenience and we thank you so much for your patience. Of course, this was unforeseen,” Youngman. said.

Youngman and Purdy said from their understanding, the last time extreme weather shut the tramway down was in the 80’s.