Vegas Balloon Rides – See Las Vegas from over 4000 feet!

My entire life I have always enjoyed watching hot air balloons float along lazily in the sky. Many times I would dream about getting to make my own trip in one and see what it was like to hover thousands of feet over the ground, taking in the scenery. Well, recently I had my chance thanks to the wonderful people of Vegas Balloon Rides!

After a couple of trips were canceled because of the weather, I finally got my opportunity last week. We had to wake up before dawn since you have to fly early here in Vegas. Because of the weather here, morning flights are the only ones that are considered safe for passengers. That was ok because almost nothing beats a Las Vegas sunrise!

We met very early near the launch site. The other passengers arrived about the same time as we did. Jason Abbott from Vegas Balloon rides showed up shortly after to welcome us all and collected our waivers. We were on our way!

We hopped in our car and drove around the corner. There we could see this massive balloon stretched out on a tarp on the desert floor. We were told it is one of the largest in the country, and it was easy to see why.

We all gathered around and got a briefing about what to expect and how to conduct ourselves in order for us all to get the most out of our time. All of our fellow passengers and especially the crew were pumped up for the trip! It is always nice when you can feel the crew is just as excited as you are. Too many times when you go to something, the employees appear to want to be doing anything else. That wasn’t the case here, as they all seemed to truly love their jobs.

Sheldon would be our “aeronaut,” and from the moment he opened his mouth, you could tell he was doing what he was meant to do. He absolutely loves his job, and it showed with every word he spoke.

Once the briefing was over, it was time to get the balloon filled! Massive fans blew air into the balloon, and after just a few minutes it went from empty to towering in the sky. It was now time to climb on board!

We slowly lifted off, heading toward a hospital and then straight up to more than 2,000 feet. It was a strange feeling because once we got up a little bit, we completely stopped. We were high in the air, but staying absolutely still. It was an odd feeling.

Sheldon then played with the heights we were at, always looking for a breeze to take us in one direction or another. All the while, we were able to enjoy the gorgeous views of Las Vegas. From The Strip, to the housing projects all around the city, we could see it all.

My favorite part was actually when we went very low. At times we were so close to some houses, it seemed I could reach out and touch them. We also went just above the streets, where many people who were out and about would wave to us. Many children were looking at us and it was great to see the joy in their faces as they saw this massive balloon just above where they were standing.

As we went up and down, and all around the city, Sheldon told us everything we wanted to know about air balloons, and even some things we had no idea about. I like that it didn’t seem like a pre-made speech that he gave on every trip. He happily interacted with all of us, and made sure that everyone had a great time and felt that they were the only one that mattered. We learned about the history of balloons, how high they fly, how fast they go, and a million other things. He even let us throw popcorn out of the basket to see how it floated down!

Overall, the trip lasted over an hour, and we were told that most trips go over 45 minutes or so. We were able to get to over 4,000 feet above sea level. What I found most amazing was how secure I felt inside the basket. There was never a point where we were shaking, wobbling, or doing anything that made you scared. It felt almost as if you were standing on the ground, but with a much more amazing view!

Finally, the trip was coming to an end. Sheldon found a good location to bring it down, and we landed as gently as you could imagine. We were told sometimes landings can be a little faster and harder, but do to the light wind, we felt almost nothing. However, even on windier days, the landings are still pretty gentle.

Now that it was over, it was time for some wine and light snacks! Sheldon told us some stories about early ballooning while we enjoyed the drinks and some cheese while reflecting on the incredible journey we just had. It was a perfect ending to one of the best experiences of my life. The trip had exceeded my wildest dreams, and the only part I was disappointed in was that it was over. I am already trying to figure out when I can go back and try it again.

And I know I said it a couple times before, but I really want to commend all the staff at Vegas Balloon Rides! They did everything they could to make sure we all had a great time. And it was obvious we all did. They made an incredible experience that much better. And I couldn’t imagine going on another trip that didn’t have Sheldon as the pilot.