Exploring Utah by Hot Air Balloon

Experiencing Hot Air Ballooning in Southern Utah - Ballooning is not only the oldest form of aviation; it is also the most unique aerial experience imaginable. Unlike any other form of aviation, you are not sheltered by a cabin, you are not bothered by engine noise. Most importantly, you are not bound to any airport, runway, or other suitable landing field. A balloon can basically launch and land wherever the chase vehicle has access. Setup and inflation typically takes not more than 20 minutes. After a short safety briefing, passengers are asked to board the basket. The pilot will then actuate the burner, which will generate the temperature inside the envelope to lift the balloon off the ground. This is where passengers’ amazement begins. The gondola in flight is so stable that often they do not even know they are already in the air. This characteristic allows all passengers, even those who are anxious or fearful of heights, to forget those unpleasant feelings almost immediately. Like an elevator, the balloon climbs to anywhere from a couple of inches to a couple of thousand feet off the ground. With nothing but a wicker basket between you and the scenery, incredible aerial views start to expand as the balloon ascends. Floating in serenity leaves plenty of time to take in the vast beauty, and although photos can only grasp a fraction of the experience, the unrestricted exposure gives any photographer the opportunity to take pictures from a point of view only birds can normally enjoy. Another benefit of a balloon flight is that most flights are taking place early in the morning, due to the fact that this is the time of day where the winds are the calmest and the most stable. Morning light typically illuminates any landscape like no other time of the day. Rock formations start to glow and constantly change colors, and clear morning air draws shadows that are often pitch black and full of contrast. FULL ARTICLE