Flight Details
Ever wonder what all you get to do on a hot air balloon ride? Well...
1: Welcome & Orientation
The adventure begins when we meet our guests shortly after sunrise when the mountain air is still calm and stable, the perfect conditions for ballooning!
During high season, we may need to do back-to-back flights. This does not limit your time in the air. Read how this works.
2: Balloon Inflation
Ballooning is a "hands-on" participation sport, and we will enlist your energy in the set-up and inflation of the balloon.
You'll want to have your camera ready to capture the excitement as our beautiful, 120 foot tall giant rises from the ground!
3: Ascending to the Sky
Get ready to climb aboard our basket for the flight of a lifetime, enjoying the enchanting sights and tranquility that can only be experienced from a hot air balloon.
As you gently ascend, the Earth seems to fall away below you revealing hidden canyons and valleys. Because a balloon moves at wind speed, you could hold a candle and the flame would not flicker!
4: Float Through the Air
Floating softly through the air, we may fly inches over the area lakes for a breathtaking "splash-n-dash," a little higher for some souvenir pine cones from the tops of trees or up to 3,000 feet for a 200 mile panoramic view of 4 states.
Listen to a history of Pagosa and ballooning while riding the peaceful breezes with the hawks, ospreys and the majestic bald eagles.
5: Balloon Deflation
The adventure is not over when we land, as we will have you assist us in the deflation and packing up of the balloon.
This process always draws comments of disbelief that something so enormous can be packed away so quickly and compactly.
6: Closing Ceremony
You'll then experience the 200-year-old tradition of a champagne celebration carried over from the earliest days of ballooning in France!
Enjoy muffins while receiving your personalized flight certificate. (Juice also available)
How do Back-to-Back Flights Work?
Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures has a large basket that can carry 10-12 passengers depending on the time of year and outside air temperature.
During our busy season, we may book up to 20 people and do flights back-to-back to accommodate all passengers. This means everyone pitches in to inflate the balloon and the first group will fly while the others watch and follow in our van. Then, the second group will fly. Afterwards, we'll all deflate and pack the balloon away.
Please note that back-to-back flights do not cut into your air time.
Because we drift with the winds we'll return to the original launch site by van for the closing ceremony.
