Riding the skies of Lake Tahoe in a Hot Air Balloon

Have you ever wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, but you’re not too sure about doing it? After a trip filled with hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, it could be fun to finish it off with hot air balloon rides in Lake Tahoe.

Plan your Lake Tahoe balloon adventure

Book in advance with the operator. Visit Lake Tahoe Balloons’ current packages and booking options for flight choices, prices, seasonal availability, meeting details and participation requirements.

For the morning weather check, the operator asks guests to call no earlier than one hour before their meeting time. Follow your booking confirmation and the operator’s current instructions. Weather may change the schedule.

Make this part of a longer mountain getaway: explore our South Lake Tahoe visitor guide for more local activities.

The anticipation is awesome. Waiting for a day when you and your loved ones can share a balloon ride is part of the experience. Flights depend on the weather, and a change of plans may be necessary. Follow Lake Tahoe Balloons’ current weather-check instructions and the details in your booking confirmation.

Your day has come to fly! An early morning on the lake brings the excitement of watching the crew prepare for takeoff. Seeing the balloon rise above the water gives you a different perspective on Tahoe and plenty of moments to remember.

Dress in layers for the early morning on the lake and follow the operator’s preparation guidance. Lake Tahoe Balloons launches from the deck of a boat on Lake Tahoe. Watching the crew work together is part of the adventure.

Okay, so the time is upon you and now you are in the Lake Tahoe hot balloon and beginning to set liftoff. It’s exhilarating and yet calm all at the same time. You and your loved ones are constantly looking at each other in disbelief you are actually doing this. Then you proceed to take a million photos to capture the incredible panoramic views of the entire Lake Tahoe. The flight route and altitude vary with conditions. With heights like this, you can actually see the Carson Valley over the mountains on the east side of the lake. The morning sunrise is glistening on the water so bright you look into it with blinding eyes. Some of the first sights are of the Tahoe Keys with its wandering intertwined canals for a large group of homeowners and their docks along with the marina itself. The Tahoe blue water is significant with its complementing blue skies above. From this stratosphere, you focus in on the surrounding white-capped mountains, lakes and bays. Nowhere else have I’ve ever seen the perspective of Fallen Leaf and Cascade lakes such as this. They are mirrored glass reflecting the rocky cliffs creating almost an illusion of not being filled with water. Then you see the iconic Emerald Bay and start trying to name the mountain peaks around the entire lake. The crew can help point out the surrounding landmarks. Hovering over the horizon in the early morning with colors so crisp and clear and extreme panoramic vistas from all sides of the basket brings an overwhelming emotion to your soul.

Making new friends – whether locals or tourists, the friends you make are delightful with a similar attraction to explore and learn. As with any adventure, you feel the comraderies with your fellow balloonist and I bet many of lasting friendships are born.

A memorable finish — A sparkling-wine toast rounds out the operator’s balloon adventure. The scenery, the shared experience and the traditions of ballooning give you plenty to talk about long after you return to shore.

“The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with his warm hands. You have flown so well and so high that God has joined you in your laughter and set you gently back again into the loving arms of mother earth.”

The Balloonist’s Prayer

I knew this was on my bucket list. What I didn’t know was it needs to be on yours. This excursion is absolutely something you want to share with everyone and a can’t miss experience. Your patience will be rewarded if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate at first. Be persistent and be present.