When thinking about winter vacationing in Palm Springs, you can expect mostly balmy temperatures, and the chance to play golf,  swim, sun around the pool, and enjoy many other outdoor activities. December, January and February average high temperatures in the low 70’s, so snow is the last thing you might expect to see.

Many people who haven’t visited Palm Springs before are surprised upon their first arrival to see our valley so close to the rugged mountains which rise abruptly from the desert floor and ring our valley. It is in these beautiful mountains that snow fell this past weekend.

Snow in the mountains is not entirely unexpected, but when it does happen, it is always awe inspiring and creates excitement in the valley. We awoke this past Sunday morning to see the crests of our majestic mountains covered with new fallen snow, while we had had a gently falling rain in the valley.

Cameras came out to capture the view. Those eager to get closer to the snow took a little trip up to Mount San Jacinto. So the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was a very popular venue this weekend for desert dwellers eager to romp in the snow. See the aerial tram going up to the mountain station which sits at over 8300 feet, near the peak of Mount San Jacinto. (The lower tram  station is located just at the north end of Palm Springs in Chino Canyon.) Here’s a glimpse of visitors who’ve just disembarked from the tramway at the mountain station.

When you think of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley – think desert landscapes, palm trees, mountains…and now – mountain snows…we truly have it all.