Hot air balloons require calm, stable air to operate safely. Early morning—just around sunrise—offers the lowest surface winds, minimal thermal turbulence from solar heating, and the cool air necessary for optimal balloon lift.
Safety is our absolute priority. We must reschedule or cancel a flight if we observe any of the following:
High Winds: Surface winds exceeding 8–10 mph.
Poor Visibility: Fog, low cloud cover, or heavy mist hiding the ground or flight path.
Precipitation: Any rain, snow, or active storm cells within 20 miles.
Unstable Air: Approaching fronts or atmospheric instability.
Our chief pilot reviews detailed aviation weather forecasts 12 to 24 hours prior to flight. You will receive a text and email notification by 7:00 PM the evening before your morning flight to confirm the launch status
You should allow 3 to 4 hours for the entire experience, which includes shuttling to and from the launch site, the flight itself, and the post-flight celebration
Due to insurance requirements, we are unable to fly anyone who is pregnant or who may be pregnant. Additionally, due to insurance requirements, the minimum age to fly is 5. While there is no age maximum, there are no seats in the basket, so passengers must be able to stand for the entire flight unassisted.
If you are concerned about physical limitations, we always recommend checking with your physician before booking your flight.
Dress in comfortable, outdoor layers. While it may feel chilly on the ground at dawn, ambient air temperatures aloft drop very little at our typical cruising altitudes. Additionally, heat radiated from the burner overhead keeps the basket quite warm.
Clothing Items
Footwear
Recommended: Closed-toe shoes (sneakers, hiking boots)
Avoid: High heels, sandals, open-toed shoes, flip-flops
Pants
Recommended: Long pants, denim, or durable outdoor trousers
Avoid: Dresses, skirts, lightweight silk or nylon pants
Tops
Recommended: Layers (t-shirt + fleece or light jacket)
Avoid: Oversized loose scarves or bulky long capes
Headwear
Recommended: Fitted baseball cap or beanie
Avoid: Loose wide-brimmed hats that could blow away
We recommend natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or denim. Synthetic materials (like nylon or polyester) can be sensitive to radiant heat from the burner.
Allowed: Cameras or smartphones with wrist/neck straps, small shoulder bags, and water bottles.
Not Allowed: Hard-shell suitcases, oversized backpacks, tripods, or selfie sticks, as space in the basket is limited.
As with all service providers, gratuity is always appreciated. A typical tip would be 15-20% of the total price. If you like the ride, tip your guide!
Because basket space is strictly limited, we require advance notice for any voluntary changes or cancellations:
Individual / Small Groups (1–4 passengers): Cancel or reschedule up to 48 hours prior to launch for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a 25% fee. No-shows are non-refundable.
If your flight is cancelled by our pilot due to unfavorable weather or safety concerns, you will receive 100% of your money back, or you can choose to reschedule to any future available date at no extra charge.