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