Although itap one of the longest-standing means to an adrenaline rush, hot air balloon rides don’t leap to front of mind until you spot one – or hundreds – of the colorful vessels drifting through the sky.
“Itap a peaceful, relaxing experience with a lot of good views to be had a couple thousand feet above the ground,” said pilot Bud Whitehead, who along with his wife, Stacia, own Wild West Balloon Adventures in Steamboat Springs.
“Every time we go up, itap a fresh experience. We always see something different,” he said. “The wind is always changing. Sometimes the aspen leaves are blooming or changing color. The river is raging or calm. Every flight is different. That keeps it interesting for our returning guests and for us.”
Wild West, with its launch field about 5 minutes away from Steamboat Resort and downtown, flies year-round, but is busiest in summer. A balloon adventure begins just after sunrise, with a debrief over coffee and donuts, followed by the slow, steady rise off the earth. Flights last about 45 minutes, drifting past peaks and flat tops, over ranchland, wildflower fields, forests and ski slopes. During these journeys, Whitehead has developed a keen eye for spotting wildlife.
“There have been flights where we’ve seen elk, moose and bears all within five minutes of each other,” he said. “Thatap my favorite part – trying to spot the animals for my passengers. In the spring, we’ll see elk and moose with babies in the fields near where we launch. The birds are amazing – the cranes and blue herons all around. We have an osprey nest nearby, too. In the fall, the colors are amazing from above. We’ve already got reservations in the books for August and September when leaf peepers start coming up.”
Whitehead’s passengers have ranged in age from 6 (the youngest permitted to ride) to 90. Oftentimes, he’ll get last-minute bookings from people who had no idea hot air balloon adventures were available until they spotted one of his balloons (he has three in his fleet, the largest equipped for eight passengers) outside their hotel. He’s had passengers overcome a lifelong fear of heights during the ride.
Regardless of how the adventure transpires, a flight always wraps up with a champagne toast back on the ground.
“I think itap an awesome experience for everybody,” Whitehead said. “Some people are afraid of heights or have fears about going up into the sky. But everyone who rides with us, if they have anxiety, it melts away as we start going up.”
The first official form of human flight, hot air ballooning emerged in France in 1783. It has been embraced and celebrated in Colorado and surrounding states for decades, not only to get a bird’s-eye view of the earth below, but also as a visual spectacle from the ground up.
You don’t have to venture far within or just outside of Colorado’s borders to witness the majesty of a hot air balloon, or many all at once. Balloon outfitters offer rides in every corner of the state. The Rocky Mountains take on a whole new mystique when seen from above.
Some of the world’s biggest and most revered balloon festivals happen in and around Colorado. Here are a few standouts from June through October:
Telluride Balloon Festival
Celebrating its 42nd anniversary, this weekend-long festival brightens the skies over Telluride both morning and night. The Saturday night balloon glow is a literal highlight, pilots synchronizing their burner ignitions for a spectacle guaranteed to bring on oohs and ahs. June 5-8;
Frederick in Flight
Frederick’s 15-year festival features a beer garden, live music and food trucks. New pilots are always welcome. June 26–28,
Erie Balloon Festival
Not to be outdone by its northern Colorado neighbor, the Erie festival also brings a weekend of live music and food trucks as well as balloon walk-throughs, tether rides and an evening glow display. For those interested in taking a ride, vessels are also seeking volunteer crews. July 10-12;
Moffatt County Balloon Festival
Rising balloons in the morning are just the beginning of this festival in Craig, which also includes a Colorado Cruiser car show and all-day live music on Saturday. There’s also a Fly Colors 5K walk/run and bounce house for the kids. Aug. 1-2;
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off
Celebrating a monumental 50 years, the Labor Day Lift Off Festival is bound to be bigger than ever before. The long weekend kicks off with an airborne opening ceremony and lift-off, followed by beer and mimosa gardens, concerts, remote control balloons, drones, sky divers and just about every form of sky-borne entertainment imaginable. Led by balloon outfitters Rainbow Ryders, the event also brings opportunities to get into the air. Sept. 5-7;
Snowmass Balloon Festival
For the 51st year, 30 multi-colored balloons lift off from Snowmass Town Park during a time of year when their yellows and oranges match the landscape below. Get up early to see the liftoff, but arrive in time for Friday’s Night Glow event. Sept 25-27;
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Touting itself as the world’s biggest, boldest balloon festival, this nine-day event in New Mexico welcomes more than 500 balloons taking up the atmosphere over the southwest. Walking among this throng of floating color balls is surreal and well worth the drive. The celebration, which includes extra flare for Route 66’s Centennial anniversary, brings a lineup of one liftoff after another, live music, drone shows, chainsaw carving contests and fireworks. Balloon ride opportunities abound. Oct 3-11;
Where to take a balloon ride
In addition to festivals, many Colorado balloon outfitters will take you up, many of them year-round, in every corner of the state. Air times are from 30 to 90 minutes. Some companies offer packages (with champagne and gifts) or special deals; check websites for details. Reservations are a must for all flights.
Denver, Boulder and north
Love Hot Air Balloon Rides: Based in Loveland, this balloon flies year-round. Itap also heart-shaped, and specializes in romantic rides. Cost: Shared flights are $375 per person; private flights are $1,200 per couple, and $250 for each additional guest. 303-469-1243;
Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures: Operates year-round near Boulder, Longmont, and Denver. Cost: $289 per person; private rides $1,600 per couple and $2,400 for four. 303-469-1243;
Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights: Based between Denver and Estes Park, operating May through November. Cost: $299 special rate if booking online until June 1; otherwise $399 per person. Private flight $800 per person. 303-939-9323;
Life Cycle Balloon Adventures: Offers flights with views of the Boulder Flatirons and Front Range. Cost: $425 per person, special rates available. 303-216-1990;
CloudBase Balloons LLC: Flies 30 minutes south of Denver, providing views of the Rocky Mountains and city skyline from Chatfield State Park. Cost: starting at $269 per person. 303-978-0144;
Rocky Mountain Hot Air: In business for more than 25 years, Rocky Mountain Hot Air has an ordained minister on staff in case customers want to wed while up in a balloon. Its home field is Chatfield State Park. Cost: $275 per person. 303-936-0292;
Colorado Springs
Rainbow Ryders: Offers sunrise flights (June-September), trip includes views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Cost: $179-$250 per person for shared flights. Private flights $325-$400 per person. 877-448-7141;
Adventures Out West: Provides year-round flights over Colorado Springs. Cost: $249 per person, or private flight $1,500 for two. 719-578-0935;
Western mountains
Wild West Balloon Adventures: Operates out of Steamboat Springs, year-round, weather-permitting. Cost: $335 per person (must be at least 6 years old). 970-879-9191;
Grand Adventure Balloon Tours: Provides year-round, sunrise flights over the Fraser Valley and toward Rocky Mountain National Park. Cost: $425 per person ages 6 and over. 970-887-1340;
Pagosa Springs
Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures: Operates in Southern Colorado, offering views of alpine lakes and mountains. Cost: $169 per adult, $139 for children 12 and under. Private rides start at $900. 970-317-3290;
