There is no hotel pick up for your exciting Balloon Ride over Calgary. Make sure you call the Flight Line number given on your booking voucher the day before your flight to check the flight status and meeting time. On the day, you should make your way to the meeting point at Blackfoot Inn for the pick up. You will then be driven to the launch site, where your flight crew will brief you on your upcoming adventure.
You can watch the thrilling sight of your balloon taking shape before your eyes, ultimately standing more than 10 stories tall. Once it is fully inflated and ready for take-off, you climb into the gondola (a reinforced wicker basket) for the start of a magical journey.
Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta and just 80 km (50 miles) east of the Rocky Mountains. As you float through the dawn sky, you will get panoramic views of the city and the magnificent Rockies beyond.
Calgary boasts many fine skyscrapers. Look for signature buildings like the Petro-Canada Center, the tallest building in Canada outside Toronto, and Bankers Hall East and West, the tallest twin buildings in Canada.
You fly with the prevailing winds, so the flight patterns and landing sites will vary according to changing wind directions. There is no wind chill and very little feeling of movement or sensation of height.
After about an hour's tranquil flight (the exact time depends on the winds) your pilot will prepare for landing.
Once on the ground, you will share in the oldest of ballooning traditions, a Champagne toast (soft drinks also available) to celebrate a successful flight.
You will then board a vehicle and will be dropped back at the meeting point at Blackfoot Inn.