Vail and Beaver Creek Balloon Rides

Hot air ballooning is a safe, peaceful and relaxing way to see the gorgeous Rocky Mountains and surrounding countryside from a new perspective. It is also an experience you will treasure for a lifetime. Balloon rides are generally scheduled at sunrise when thermal currents are lightest. Come and enjoy this unique adventure winter or summer. Hot Air Balloon Rides are a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the incredible topography of the Rocky Mountains. Balloons hold 4-8 passengers, with a minimum age of 6 to ride - but check with your specific vendor to be sure. Flights are offered year-round, and last anywhere from 30-75 minutes, depending on your chosen package. Most trips leave just after sunrise so be prepared to get an early start. These FAA-regulated aircrafts allow passengers to enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the mountains, engine-noise free. The balloons take off from a "launch field," and then coast, under the direction of a skilled pilot, along the jet streams to a landing area, where the ground crew guides the balloon safely back to earth. Due to natural variations in the mountainous climate, occasionally trips are postponed or rescheduled - all in the interest of passenger safety. In such situations, the vendors will work to accommodate a reschedule based on your convenience, and most will refund the trip if that is not possible. Most trips include breakfast and hot beverages, and some even offer a complimentary champagne toast. This activity is not recommended for adventurers over the age of 80, or anyone who has trouble standing for longer than an hour or breathing at altitude. Come dressed in sturdy, rubber-soled shoes. No open-toed shoes or heels allowed on the balloons. Some vendors also require pants, so be sure to check with yours.