Carson Valley Ballooning
The Carson Valley is a beautiful place to go ballooning... in fact, it's that beauty and wonderful flying conditions that brought us here 16 years ago.
We only get to share the unique and peaceful experience of floating through the Carson Valley morning skies in a hot air balloon once a day, with no more than three passengers at a time, usually just two.
We are located minutes from Reno, Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Reno and Carson City in the town of Gardnerville, Nevada.
- Carson Valley Balloon Flight Information
- Balloon Nevada offers one flight package here in the Carson Valley,
and that is our Exclusive Balloon Ride.
We fly PRIVATE FLIGHTS ONLY with no more than three passengers.
(Once we book a flight for two guests, we consider the flight full and won't sell the third space.)
We fly ONE flight per day soon after sunrise.
Our balloon basket comfortably seats two people without sacrificing the views!
Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance
We meet passengers at Lampe Park in Gardnerville [Map]
Complimentary champagne, sparkling cider and other beverages
Complimentary transportation from landing site to meeting location (you don't think we'd leave you out there do you?)
Flights are planned to last one hour, but please allow 3 hours for the entire experience.
No children under the age of 7 or under 42 inches tall.
If you don't show up for your scheduled flight, we will charge your card 100% of fares.
All of our balloon ride policies can be read here.
There is room in the gondola for your backpack, camera bag, or the jackets and sweaters that often get shed floating in the warm sunshine. There's also a nice cushion seat in our basket that seats two people comfortably without sacrificing the views! - a typical balloon flight usually goes something like this . . .
- You and your guest(s) start the day by meeting the Balloon Nevada crew
at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, Nevada. It's an easy to find public park
in the middle of the Carson Valley with plenty of shaded parking. From
here we will make one more check on the upper winds by releasing a small
helium filled balloon into the air. As this balloon rises, it typically
changes directions. These changes in direction at various altitudes are
how we "steer" our balloon.
Once we know what the winds are doing, we'll select a launch site, usually just five minutes away where we'll assemble the balloon, then begin it's inflation. You're welcome to assist, or just observe and take pictures, it's up to you.
Once the balloon is fully inflated and the pilot has completed pre-flight checks, you'll climb aboard and receive a pre-flight safety briefing. Minutes later, you and your guest(s) will be floating above the trees and fields surrounded by the Sierra Nevada. You have the balloon to yourselves (along with a pilot) to gawk at the scenery and watch the world go by below you. Out-of-towners will be awe struck with the scenery, and local residents, even life long residents will be surprised at all the unknown things they spot from the air! - Remember those winds?
- Well as the balloon flight progresses, these winds change. While you've
been gawking, you're pilot has watching these ever changing winds and
is deciding how he can steer the balloon towards favorable landing areas,
or away from unfavorable areas such as irrigated fields, cattle ranches,
forests and of course that body of water to our west called Lake Tahoe.
This isn't as easy as you may think, and sometimes adds drama to flights
as there are a LOT of those unfavorable areas out there!
After approximately one hour or more in the air, we'll land and pack the balloon up and return to our meeting location (Lampe Park) where we'll celebrate our safe return to earth with a traditional champagne / sparkling cider toast.
Come on out & get a little air!
- Our private hot air balloon flights are ideal
- For Romancing a loved one,
Proposing Marriage,
Renewing Vows,
Celebrating an Anniversary,
a Unique Special Date or get away
Aerial Photography
or just experiencing ballooning at it's best, as it was meant to be.
Request a Reservation
If you have any questions, email customer service or call 775-790-7572.
- Cancellation Policy
- 48 hours notice for cancellations and/or rescheduling so that we may
try to fill the space, or forfeit 50% of deposit.
Cancellations must be done by telephone – 775-790-7572.
Full fares (100%) are charged for failure to show up for scheduled flight.
No charge if flight is cancelled by our pilot for weather or safety concerns.
Should the scheduled flight be cancelled due to weather or our inability to complete the flight, you will have the option to reschedule.