Mountain Snowfall Nets Winners in Tram Snow Contest

The San Jacinto Mountains saw its first snowfall today, with about an inch and a half blanketing the area, including the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station. Greg Purdy, the tramway’s public affairs manager,said the timing was perfect, with students across the Coachella Valley off from school for Thanksgiving break and able to see " a dusting of snow during their holidays." The snowfall also signaled the end of the tramway’s annual contest for correctly guessing the date of the first snowfall. The 10 winners, who will receive four Tram admissions, plus a special gift, are: — Richard Namey of Desert Hot Springs; — Brenda Siddon of Desert Hot Springs; — Diana Lakata of Palm Desert; — Joyce Mochizuki of Indio; — Carey Kirner of San Diego; — Michael & Renee Southard of Indio; — Nancy Dunn of La Quinta; — Andy Green of Redlands; — Hoang Nguyen of Menifee; and — Cleone Knopfle of Palm Springs. The contest generated 863 entries this year, more than double the number from last year, Purdy said.