Grand Adventure Hot Air Balloon Tours: Birds-Eye Views of the Continental Divide and Rocky Mountain National Park over the Fraser Valley
It never gets old catching a glimpse of a hot air balloon floating over the Fraser Valley with Byers Peak or the Continental Divide in the background. If you're an early riser, you've likely seen one in flight as it rises up to catch the sunrise and meander around above our little Rocky Mountain towns here in Grand County. We know there's all the talk about views from mountain properties, but a 360-degree view from thousands of feet up in the sky? There's no home or vacant land on the market that can offer that genuinely special experience!
You can get a birds-eye look at the beauty of the Fraser Valley with Grand Adventure Balloon Tours, just recently chosen by USA Today Reader's Choice as the 2024 #1 Hot Air Balloon Ride in the country!
THE FLIGHT
Be ready to wake up early for your adventure! Flights are scheduled for sunrise (year-round) to capitalize on early-morning stable atmospheres and gentle breezes. And a balloon ride over the Continental Divide at sunrise is worth waking up for!
Every flight is unique - the pilot can guide the balloon, but it is always subject to wind and weather conditions. Chances to see wildlife, dip in a pond (what they call a "splash and dash"), see the peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, and soar across the valley abound. Flights are approximately one hour, depending on landing site availability, wind direction, and fuel consumption.
And there really is no knowing where you'll land after your approximately one-hour ride, But that's part of what makes it fun! The route of a hot air balloon can be guided but certainly isn't one-hundred percent predictable. But don't worry! A "chase vehicle" will be there to pick you up wherever the wind takes you!
And Captain Jack will have you in good hands! He's been flying over the area for more than three decades and knows the landscape, topography, and history even better than most born-and-raised locals. So you're really in for a treat with his expert skills and knowledge!
Once you're back at "base camp" (read: the Fraser Sports Complex), you'll be treated to some light breakfast snacks and a Champagne History Celebration. The tradition of a champagne toast after a hot air balloon ride dates back to the 1780s when hot air balloons first took flight, with champagne being offered to disgruntled farmers when a balloon landed in their fields. Read more about the tradition here.
You'll leave with your very own "Certificate of Aeronaut Status" as well as some seriously frame-worthy photos!
THE OPTIONS
Guests with Grand Adventure Balloon tours can choose from a group or individual ride. The kaleidoscope balloon seats up to 12 people, and the alien balloon fits four to five, so you can book out a whole basket depending on the size of your group! Wondering why one of the balloons looks like a green alien? The theme is prevalent in the hot air ballooning community, making reference to balloons being mistaken as UFOs.
Almost all ages can take a ride on the balloon - Grand Adventure offers rides to guests aged 6 to 100.
TIMING + WEATHER
One of the trickier parts of planning a hot air balloon ride is unpredictable weather. While they offer flights year-round, Grand Adventure will only fly in safe conditions. Strong winds, poor visibility, and precipitation can pose significant risks and may lead to cancellations. Flights can be rescheduled to ensure safety for all. So be prepared to be flexible - if you're visiting, be sure to plan earlier in your trip to give time for potential changes in flight dates.
Most people wonder how (and why!) anyone can take a ride in a balloon in some of the sub-zero temperatures the Winter Park area sees in the winter. Surprisingly, even in the wintertime, flights are comfortable, and temperatures up in the balloon are about 30-40 degrees warmer than temperatures on the ground. And you can rise a lot faster in the winter! Reduced thermal activity requires more burner use, and calmer winds contribute to a smoother flight. These factors combined can lead to faster ascents in colder temperatures.
PRICING
While it seems like an "old school" method of travel, hot air ballooning (especially on the commercial level) requires comprehensive safety measures, advanced technology, spendy insurance, and a relatively big crew to optimize the experience. And Grand Adventure Balloon Tours pulls out all the stops to give the safest and best experience possible! Their FAA Commercial Balloon Pilot, Captain Jack, has a perfect safety record, and their crew makes the whole morning feel effortless for the guests. With all that in mind, the $425 per person cost (subject to change - always check the website) definitely makes sense.
When you're on the booking page, be sure to check out physical requirements, the cancellation policy, and the reservation process.
TOAST TO A CLOSING ON YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME?
The toasts aren't just for the end of a hot air balloon ride! If raising a glass to buying or selling your property in Grand County sounds like a cause for celebration, we're here for you every step of the journey. We'd love to connect and hear your story, goals, and questions about all things Grand County and all things real estate. And we can't wait to be there with you at the closing table, ready to cheers to your new adventure!
Leave A Comment