Looking for a fun adventure? Before you go on a hiking trail or bungee jumping, take a moment to consider hot air balloon rides.
They’re not what most people assume. Don’t belittle the wonder of a quick trip to the clouds.
Before you do, however, make sure to check out this guide first! Read on below to learn what you should expect on your first ride and what you can do prepare:
1. Preparation
Upon arriving at the hot air balloon site, it’s likely your ride isn’t ready yet. You’ll get to watch as the crew prepares the gondola, the burner, and the envelope. You’ll then get a quick briefing about the ride and safety protocols before you get to go inside the gondola.
How much do hot air balloons cost? Expect hot air balloon rentals to cost from $200 to $400 depending on the company and the size of the balloon. If you aim to buy one, they can cost $20,000 and more.
2. What to Wear
Most gondolas don’t feature a swing door, due to safety concerns. Instead, you’ll have to climb over the basket to get inside. With that in mind, make sure you wear comfortable pants that allow you to swing your legs and climb.
You’ll also want to wear boots. Hot air balloon pilots might have to land in tall grass. The boots can protect you from cuts and scratches.
The burner is right above your heads and you’ll be in direct sunlight. If you can, wear a hat and sunglasses for protection. A hat can also help keep the wind from blowing your hair to your face.
3. How High Do Hot Air Balloons Go?
How high can hot air balloon rides go? This changes from trip to trip, depending on the pilot’s experience and the weather conditions. However, you can expect most rides to go from 200 to 2,000 feet.
Some hot air balloons can go up to 65,000 feet. This takes people up to the Stratosphere layer of the atmosphere. You only need to reach a little over 10,000 feet to see the curvature of the earth.
That said, don’t expect your pilot to take you that high! The risks of a high flight like that heavily outweigh the benefits. Winds at this height are incredibly powerful, which is why hot air balloons with passengers don’t go up here.
4. As the Wind Blows
The saying “as the wind blows” applies directly to hot air balloons. Pilots can’t control where the hot air balloon goes and they can’t speed it up either. Your speed and directly rely entirely on the wind.
For this reason, you should expect your pilot to cancel the trip if the winds are too strong. Most prefer to stay grounded if the wind speed goes over 10 kph/6 mph. The danger is that the gondola might topple over while you’re flying.
5. Calm and Serene
Ever seen movies like The Wizard of Oz, where they depict hot air balloon rides as rough and fast-paced? This depiction is far from the truth. Even with a bit of turbulence, hot air balloon trips are calm and serene.
Remember: you’re only going as fast as the wind blows and pilots only fly when the winds aren’t too strong. This ensures each trip is steady and relaxing. If it wasn’t for the great view, you might even fall asleep!
6. Maximum Capacity
Again, this changes from ride to ride but the biggest hot air balloons can hold up to 20 people. Yes, the gondola can get strong enough to hold up to 800 pounds or more of people riding. You’ll never have to worry about the gondola swinging directions as you walk around to look down from the sides.
That said, make sure you ask the pilot and the hot air balloon organizers about the maximum capacity. If their hot air balloon can only take five people but you have eight, you’ll need to ask if they can handle two trips to accommodate everyone. You might need to postpone the other group’s trip to the next day, depending on weather conditions and the wind.
7. The View
Without a doubt, the best part of a hot air balloon ride is the view. No matter which side you stand at, the view is going to be spectacular. You can see the grasslands, the local neighborhood, and the gorgeous sky.
Depending on where you live, there might be a few hotspots to target. If you’re in Phoenix, Arizona, for example, you might want to try to fly over these sites here.
8. The Landing
How’s the landing? Unlike an airplane landing, hot air balloons have a calm and standard landing procedure. It often occurs in two ways:
First, there is a standing landing. This is when the conditions of the wind are perfect. The gondola lands standing but you still have to hold onto the railing and bend your knees in case of the gondola tips over.
Then, there is the more traditional landing. This is when the gondola lands on its side. Before you land, you’ll have to bend your knees and prepare to hold onto the central bar.
Don’t climb out of the gondola until the pilot gives the clear sign. It’s important to wait because there’s always the risk of the balloon picking up again and floating up, right as you’re climbing out.
9. Ending With Champagne
It’s almost a common tradition now to celebrate hot air balloon rides with a bottle of champagne. A little sparkling wine can go a long way to commemorate the joy of your adventure and the blessing of a safe landing.
If you’re not into alcoholic drinks, make sure you tell the organizers. They can get you some non-alcoholic drinks instead.
Try Out Hot Air Balloon Rides Now!
Why wait? Go out and enjoy hot air balloon rides today! Keep these tips in mind and you should have no trouble, even if it’s your first trip on one!
Of course, you shouldn’t stop with hot air balloons. If you’re looking for more tips for your next adventure, we’ve got a plethora of articles for you. Check them out today!
I have certainly thought about doing this a few times but never quite gotten around to it. I do think it would be an adventure but would sure want to prepared.
When I lived in Albuquerque (hot air balloon capitol) I crewed for a couple of balloons. Then I got to ride. Such a wonderful experience. Very good tips.
I have never had a hot air ride. However, would love to do it one time.