| Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an oft cited city in | | | | possible. Stretching from the northeast corner of |
| American popular culture, probably more widely known | | | | Albuquerque to the mountain's highest peak, the |
| as the point at which Bugs Bunny often lost his way ("I | | | | panoramic views are truly spectacular. To the west |
| must have taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque"), than | | | | and south, there is a view of Albuquerque, the Rio |
| the location of one of the first Microsoft offices in 1977 | | | | Grande and the New Mexico deserts that lie in the |
| or the crash site of TWA flight 206 in 1955. However, | | | | background. In a northerly direction, there are clear |
| Albuquerque is home to a large variety of American | | | | outlines of Santa Fe and Taos in the distance, and to |
| historic landmarks and institutions - including the famous | | | | the south there are pine forests that stretch out |
| Rio Grande Zoo and the First National Bank Building. | | | | across the plane. |
| Yet towering above all these landmarks is the Sandia | | | | Conveniently, the main tram terminal is situated at the |
| Peak Tramway, the world's longest single span aerial | | | | apex of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, which is perfect |
| tramway, and an essential stop-off point for any visitor | | | | for winter skiing holiday-makers. Although the ski area |
| to the region. | | | | does not operate over the summer, activities continue |
| First entering service in May 1966, the Sandia Peak | | | | in the area as over 26 miles of mountain bike trails are |
| Tramway is now over forty years old. When it was | | | | made available for use. As well as this abundance of |
| first constructed by Swiss company Bell Engineering, it | | | | recreation, there are also a variety of restaurants |
| was considered one of the most difficult tramway | | | | available at the summit of the Sandia Mountains, |
| construction projects ever embarked upon, primarily | | | | including the critically acclaimed High Finance |
| due to the steep and rocky terrain of the Sandia | | | | Restaurant, which is said to offer the best view in |
| Mountains. Located to the northeast of Albuquerque, | | | | New Mexico of any restaurant. |
| the Sandia Mountains are largely situated within the | | | | Visitors to the Sandia Peak Tramway will find the |
| protected area of the Cibola National Forest. Its highest | | | | nearby Homewood Albuquerque Uptown conveniently |
| point is the Sandia Crest, which stands at 10, 678 ft | | | | placed accommodation; it offers comfortable suites in |
| (3255 m) above sea level. The term "sandia" means | | | | the northeast of the city and is located in close |
| watermelon in Spanish, and this name is generally | | | | proximity to the Winrock Mall and the Colorado |
| believed to have been derived from the color of the | | | | Shopping Center. Visitors to the Sandia Peak |
| sunset viewed from the top of the mountain range. | | | | Tramway, therefore, will find it is well situated, so that |
| Popularly known in the region as simply "The Tram", | | | | people can enjoy the beauty of the mountain scenery |
| the Sandia Peak Tramway allows visitors to see this | | | | without being too far away from the luxuries of the |
| spectacular sunset from the best vantage point | | | | city. |