Thanks,
Leni/MinuteGal
Looks like it’s just sightseeing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandia_Peak_Tramway#Activities_on_top
Could be either. But skiers are usually early riders.
The tram takes you near a ski slope on the back side of the Peak,. There was a steakhouse at the top called High Finance. Went there years ago, not sure if the restaurant is still open. Tram ride was pretty long, and great views. Not sure I’d want to sleep overnight in one though…
Sightseeing, hiking, restaurant, and skiing. Though there is highway access to the ski area, it's a much longer drive to get there. Have to go south to I-40 and then east a few miles then back north and west. There are also hiking trails. One local report said the people who were stuck were restaurant employees trying to make it down before it got too nasty. It's interesting they got caught. The tram will shut down in high winds and high winds were forecasted for yesterday evening into today, and they should have bugged out earlier, but it was New Year's Eve.
There is a small ski resort and a restaurant at the top. If you have reservation to eat the tram tickets are reduced in price.
I never went skiing there but my first trip to the Lab (Sandia) they dragged me up there to do the touristy thing. The food was pretty good and we were there for the sunset, which was spectacular. I had to take a few people up there for their obligatory visit. I never minded it as the views are fantastic and the food was pretty good.
1. Sightseers. There is a restaurant, bar, gift shop, and amazing scenic overlooks at the top. Most visitors spend a few hours on top. You can see west all the way across Albaquirky to the Rio Grande Valley. Sunsets are AMAZING.
2. There are ski slopes directly on the east side of Sandia Mtn. When you get off the tram, you can begin a ski run. You can get a season pass, and the tram is sort of your big ski lift. It gets you right to the top of the slopes.
3. In summertime, with no snow, the slopes are epic mountain big runs.
Anybody who visits AlbaQuirky absolutely must experience the tram!
Also, anybody who visits Palm Springs, CA, must experience that tram as well. Worth every penny X2.