| Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an oft cited city in | | | | point 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.Conveniently, the main tram terminal is |
| Yet towering above all these landmarks is the Sandia | | | | situated at the apex of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, |
| Peak Tramway, the world's longest single span aerial | | | | which is perfect for winter skiing holiday-makers. |
| tramway, and an essential stop-off point for any visitor | | | | Although the ski area does not operate over the |
| to the region.First entering service in May 1966, the | | | | summer, activities continue in the area as over 26 |
| Sandia Peak Tramway is now over forty years old. | | | | miles of mountain bike trails are made available for use. |
| When it was first constructed by Swiss company Bell | | | | As well as this abundance of recreation, there are also |
| Engineering, it was considered one of the most difficult | | | | a variety of restaurants available at the summit of the |
| tramway construction projects ever embarked upon, | | | | Sandia Mountains, including the critically acclaimed High |
| primarily due to the steep and rocky terrain of the | | | | Finance Restaurant, which is said to offer the best |
| Sandia Mountains. Located to the northeast of | | | | view in New Mexico of any restaurant.Visitors to the |
| Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains are largely situated | | | | Sandia Peak Tramway will find the nearby |
| within the protected area of the Cibola National Forest. | | | | Homewood Albuquerque Uptown conveniently placed |
| Its highest point is the Sandia Crest, which stands at 10, | | | | accommodation; it offers comfortable suites in the |
| 678 ft (3255 m) above sea level. The term "sandia" | | | | northeast of the city and is located in close proximity |
| means watermelon in Spanish, and this name is | | | | to the Winrock Mall and the Colorado Shopping Center. |
| generally believed to have been derived from the color | | | | Visitors to the Sandia Peak Tramway, therefore, will |
| of the sunset viewed from the top of the mountain | | | | find it is well situated, so that people can enjoy the |
| range.Popularly known in the region as simply "The | | | | beauty of the mountain scenery without being too far |
| Tram", the Sandia Peak Tramway allows visitors to | | | | away from the luxuries of the city.Michael is a keen |
| see this spectacular sunset from the best vantage | | | | writer living in Edinburgh. |