Frequently asked Questions

We meet passengers every morning at Lampe Park in Gardnerville. ( Map / Directions ) Complementary round trip transportation is also available within the Carson Valley for hotel and motel guests.

• Year round, 12 months of the year
• Morning flights only ( see time table here )
• Always weather permitting

Our goal is for every balloon ride to last at least one hour. According to the balloon log book (yes, we must log flights), we average 1.18 hours per balloon ride. If we don't think we can fly for an hour, we'd rather stay in bed.

It's your balloon, you tell us. Our altitude varies throughout the flight. We usually start off by flying low (treetop level) to totally wow you with our control and the balloon's maneuverability, then we'll climb to higher altitudes (3,000' to 5,000' above the ground) for spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and the entire Carson Valley.

Of course, if you'd prefer to stay lower, let us know, and we'll plan your flight accordingly. Remember, it's your balloon!

Balloons go as fast as the wind, which is why we only fly in the early mornings, when the winds are nice and gentle. If surface winds are expected to be faster than 10 mph, we don't fly.

I can't tell you how many people I've flown that said they had a fear of heights. Believe it or not, I'm one of them. Tall bridges, cliffs, high rise buildings and glass elevators are the worst for me, but I have absolutely no problem in the balloon. I've probably had a few hundred passengers tell me the the same thing... they thought they'd be scared, but never were.

I have NEVER had anyone "freak out" or want to land because they were uncomfortable in the balloon. Never.

We have found that most of our passengers, which are usually couples, already have "something planned" once their romantic ballooning adventure is over, and that "something" usually doesn't include balloon pilots and crew. ;-)

Others often need to get back to their kids, catch a flight, check out of their hotel, or drive on down the road to their next destination, and we don't want to take up their valuable time feeding them an over priced meal. So no, we don't provide breakfast. But we can sure recommend a couple great breakfast places for you if your day allows!

Our flights take place in a valley. Cold air is heavier than warm air, and therefore settles in the valley floor. Once we are in the air, we are above that cold air, and you'll notice it getting warmer. This is true year round. In the winter, it's usually much warmer in the air than it is on the ground. Another interesting thing: we travel with the wind, so there's never a wind chill in the balloon.

If you're comfortable on the ground, you will be comfortable in the air.

Balloons don't have a mechanical way of steering, and are totally dependent on the winds. However, the Carson Valley is known to have a variety of wind directions and speeds at different altitudes. Your experienced and skillful pilot uses these winds by ascending or descending into them. It's not uncommon for our flights to travel almost any direction on the compass!

Yes. To fly a hot air balloon, you must have either a private or commercial pilot license issued by the F.A.A., just like airplane pilots. For chartered balloon rides, a commercial pilot license is required. Additionally, the holder of a pilot license must take and pass a Biennial Flight Review, and make a minimum of three take offs and landing every 90 days to remain current.

Absolutely! Hot air balloons must be inspected by an F.A.A. certified facility annually or every 100 hours of commercial use, which ever comes first, just like all other aircraft. During these inspections, every inch of the balloon is inspected to ensure airworthiness.

Children under the age of seven, or under 42 inches tall (which can't see over the side of the basket) have a short attention span and can become restless after a few minutes. We've discovered (the hard way) that this distraction often prevents the parents or grand parents from enjoying their flight.

We recommend casual, comfortable clothing similar to what you would wear when going for a walk or a hike. Generally, if you are comfortable outside when you leave your house or hotel in the morning, you will be comfortable in the air.

• Dress in layers. The day usually gets warmer.
• Sweatshirt or jacket even in the summer as it can be chilly in the early morning here in the Sierras. (The temperature in the basket will be about the same as the temperature on the ground.)
• A hat and sunglasses are a good idea as it is bright up there!
• Comfortable shoes.
• Camera with extra batteries, plenty of film and/or memory
• Back pack to keep your things together
• ...an attitude for altitude.

Yes, our balloon can seat two people comfortably, and you'll still be able to see everything! For safety reasons, you will need to be standing for the landing.

Yes! In fact, some of the best ballooning takes place in the winter. The colder the air is, the better the balloon responds. The better the balloon responds, the longer the pilot wants to fly!

Almost anyone, but not quite. Pregnant women, or women that may be pregnant may NOT fly. No exceptions. Also, anyone with back, knee or hip problems, or has had recent surgery, or can't stand up for at least an hour may NOT fly.