Recently we took a trip to New Mexico. With only 3 full days to see the sites in New Mexico, we had to really narrow down what we wanted to see and do on this trip. We also had to make sure whatever we did would entertain a group of 8 people ranging from age 6 to 60. We decided the Sandia Peak Tram fit the ticket, and I’m so glad it made the cut.
The tram is located on the eastern edge of Albuquerque in the Sandia Foothills. As you You travel 2.7 miles, which takes about 15 minutes, the view is amazing. Once at the top, at over 10,000 feet, you have a panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley. It is truly breathtaking.
The day we went was a clear, cool day, and thankfully we dressed warmly because once you get to the top, the temperature is much colder than down below. When you factor in the wind, it is even colder. When we reached the top, there was actually snow! This may come as a surprise to many, because a lot of people think of New Mexico as just a warm, dry place, but at the upper elevations it does snow.
Had we done a little research ahead of time, we would have brought the kids snow boots. It’s funny how kids just don’t seem to feel the cold like we do, though. Even without snow boots, with their socks and shoes obviously getting wet, they were all over the snow, making snow balls, and throwing them at each other. As they seemed to do during our entire trip, the kids teamed up, boys against girls, and had a snowball fight.
The tram has been around for over 50 years. The terrain was so difficult, they had to use helicopters to build it, because it was so steep and rocky they weren’t able to build a construction road. It was a monumental project that required a tremendous amount of engineering. It took 2 years to finish.
The tramcars hold 50 people. You stand the entire way, and are able to look out the sides to see the sites along the way. We were lucky to be some of the first on the tram, and were able to get right up against the side, so even the youngest with us could look out and see the view. I was a little concerned the kids might get scared, but I saw no fear, and in fact, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy both the trip up, and down, the mountain. There is a tour guide on the tramcar explaining the history of the tram.
As you can imagine, the wind could play havoc on a tram that is hanging from cable. They actually use water to help weigh the tramcar down when there is high wind, and less passengers. It’s a surprisingly smooth trip, though, with a little swaying and dipping when you cross the towers that are supporting the cables.
Once you get to the top, there are trails to hike and bike, and during the winter, there is skiing. The restaurant at the top is currently being redone, and won’t reopen until 2019, but there is a restaurant, and gift shop, at the bottom. There are people that actually hike up the entire way, and some serious rock climbing areas.
There is a lot to see and do on a vacation to New Mexico. If you plan a trip there, I highly recommend trying out the Sandia Peak Arial Tramway.
10 Tramway Loop NE Albuquerque NM 87122
I was provided tickets to ride the tram. All opinions are my own.
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