Balloon Tethers
The Ride
The most common choice for passengers looking for the core ballooning experience is the good old fashion hot air balloon ride. A hot air balloon ride can begin in any sizeable field of your choice. Often we're able to take off from our passengers' back yards, providing a nice aerial view of their homes. The ride usually lasts for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the weather and proximity to suitable landing places. During this time the balloon is guided only by the direction of the wind. The balloon can fly at a very large altitude range, from just over the tops of the trees, to thousands of feet in the air, though we usually cruise at an altitude of about 1,000 ft as it allows for a nice view of the countryside. After the flight we celebrate with a traditional toast with champagne and snacks, and our passengers walk away with fond memories that will last a lifetime!
The Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride
Prices
$250 for one person, $475 for two, $675 for three, and $850 for four. Children 12 and under are $125. The balloon can comfortably fit 4 adults (5 including the pilot), or about 5 people if there are children.
Dates / Times
You can go on a balloon flight year round. Connecticut is beautiful to see from above at any time of the year, but different seasons offer different experiences. In spring and summer you can enjoy the lush, green countryside. Autumn is easily the most popular time for a balloon flight, as the New England fall foliage is gorgeous during this time. And we recommend scheduling months in advance for fall flights. Winter offers a silent, serene view. With no leaves on the trees, you have an unobstructed view of the wildlife that abounds in our forests, and the rolling hills are picturesque when covered with an endless blanket of snow.
A balloon flight can take place either early in the morning, just after sunrise, or later on in the evening, just before sunset. It's worthy to note, however, that the winds in the evening are generally less predictable than those in the morning, and thus evening flights are more susceptible to cancellation and rescheduling.
Accomodations
Several quaint New England B&B's are nearby if you would like to avoid a long commute the day of the flight. Contact Us for additional information.
The Ride
A balloon tether is a more popular choice for larger events that draw a group of people. With a tether, ropes are tied from the balloon to cars or trees on the ground. When tied to ropes, the balloon can go about 50 feet up in the air. This allows the balloon to go up and down repeatedly while remaining in the same place. Each time the balloon comes down we switch out the passengers, which allows a larger number of people to have the chance to go up, if only for 5 minutes at a time.
Prices
$500 per hour. (This does not include setup time and cleanup time).
Dates / Times
As with the traditional ride, a tether can be performed throughout the year. However, unlike the traditional ride, a tether can be carried out at any time of the day. Though the best times for a tether are, naturally, early in the morning or later in the evening. It's possible for the winds to be so strong in the middle of the day that a tether would be a jerky, bumpy ride.
