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Adventure Guide: Up In The Air

hot air balloon floats over Park Meadows

There really are countless ways to enjoy the Wasatch Mountain Range. You can slide down them when it’s snowing, or bike down them when it’s warm. You can hike them, camp in them or wildlife-watch in them. Many of the most adventurous among us have done all of that and more. Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. One of the truly unique ways to enjoy the mountains is from above! In a hot air balloon! You’ve seen our gorgeous mountains every other way; from the cozy confines of a hot air balloon, you can gain a whole new appreciation for them.

So, where to begin? Thankfully, this is not a new idea, and there are several hot air balloon guides that will take you up and blow your minds. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this activity takes some planning, especially in the time of COVID-19. Many hot air balloon touring companies are limiting trips to private group-only to reduce interactions between strangers. So if you want to float the friendly skies, you’ll want to put your own group together (preferably already within your quarantine bubble!) and make a reservation ahead of time.

Here are two of your options for getting into the skies above Park City:

Bigfoot Balloons
385-285-5899
Bigfoot Balloons offers one-hour flights and they leave from 6065 Silver Creek Drive in Park City. You’ll cruise at 1,500 feet and, as is hot air balloon tradition, cap off the adventure with a champagne toast!

Skywalker Balloon Company
801-824-3934
While Skywalker offers flights from Ogden, Heber and St. George, it calls the Park City tour its “signature” European mountain experience. Flights leave at sunrise, and groups meet at the Best Western Landmark Plus, 6560 N Landmark Drive. Increased vehicle and equipment sanitization is in place, as well as free masks and hand sanitizer for all passengers.

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Some hoping Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic helps community through difficult year

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is returning for its 30th year in September.

Hot air balloons will take over the skies of Boise Sept. 2-6.

It's an event many long-time Boise residents can't imagine life without.

"Being a local kid myself, this is something I didn't even know was one central event. Just something I thought happened in Boise every day," said Mateo from 103.5 KISS FM.

People involved in this year's event, like Mateo, have high hopes that it will help our community through a difficult year.

"It's something that especially right now while we're all so distanced can bring an entire community together," Mateo said.

CBS2 is proud to join Townsquare Media and CapEd Credit Union in sponsoring the event.

Make no mistake -- the community's health and safety is the top priority.

"We're feeling great about it, we're going to follow all the guidelines, we're excited to bring a bit of energy and hope to the community," Mateo said.

Organizers of the spirit of Boise are meeting with city and health officials to talk about how they can make the event safe for everyone involved.

As those details are released, we'll share them with you.

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Idaho's favorite hot air balloons returning in September: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — "Finally we have something we can look forward to. It's like a real Boise tradition," said John Moug and Angie Morales of "Moug and Angie in the morning."

We certainly do have something to look forward to.

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is returning for its 30th year.

Mark your calendars.

Hot air balloons will begin lifting off from Ann Morrison Park on Sept. 2.

This is video from our drone of last year's event.

Organizers, including our friends at Townsquare Media's MIX 106 , are taking the health of the community seriously.

"We're working with the city and with the state and with the FAA and everyone is taking COVID-19 into consideration and we just want to make this the safest event possible," Moug and Angie said.

Once all meetings with city and health officials are complete, we'll update you on any adjustments.

CBS2, Cap-Ed Credit Union and Townsquare Media are proud sponsors of the event.

Throughout our coverage, we'll also be honoring founder Scott Spencer, who died earlier this year from cancer.

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Approaching Hot Air Ballooning With Caution

By Rita Lambros-Segur

The hot air ballooning, as beautiful as a butterfly, the gentle giant of the skies, a peaceful but exhilarating means of viewing the countryside, suddenly seems a dangerous way to fly. Yet only a few months ago its safety record seemed impeccable.

Now, after four accidents and 17 deaths in quick succession, more than hot air will be needed to restore faith in ballooning as a sport, recreation and tourist delight. Bad luck is not acceptable as an explanation for disasters involving passengers and pilots.

Air ballooning has a long tradition, and it is unthinkable that it should be banned. This would destroy a pleasure and an industry that belong as much as high-powered aircraft to the skies and which are among the least noisome expressions of humankind's determination to be airborne. The Premier, Mr Bannon, is correct in resisting a ban, as he would be if, following glider or light plane fatalities, it was proposed to ground all such aircraft.

But the disasters since August need to be thoroughly investigated, not only to discover whether there are common factors. It must be determined whether the balloons and balloon operators are satisfactorily vetted for safety. Civil aviation authorities and commercial balloon operators appear to be aware of their responsibilities to learn what they can from the four accidents, but the public - potential passengers and people on the ground need to know that structural and safety requirements and pilot skills are of the highest standard. This should be required of any public operation which takes passengers aboard.

As two of the accidents involved collisions with powerlines it may be that new regulations will have to be framed about where balloons are permitted to fly and the knowledge balloon pilots must demonstrate about whereabouts of powerlines and other potential hazards. Vision and visibility may be factors, too, along with ability to react quickly in emergencies; this latter perhaps involving some pre-flight instructions to passengers.
While the helium-filled Double Eagle had virtually no controls and was at the complete mercy of the winds, the pilots of the Pacific Flyer will be able to maneuver the balloon up and down until it is centered in the core of the jetstream.

Ballooning is an adventure, and it would be a tame world that banned provision or enjoyment of adventurous pursuits. The task of authorities is to set standards and see that they are maintained, so that those who take to the air in balloons are not taking a greater risk than they know about.

Learn about the best weather conditions, equipment and places to experience the exhilaration of hot air ballooning at: [http://www.air-balloon-hot.com] Air Balloon Hot [http://www.air-balloon-hot.com].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Lambros-Segur

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Balloons take flight over Morgantown

Eighteen hot air balloons brought color to the already-colorful fall landscape in Morgantown over the weekend.

The 35th Annual Balloons Over Morgantown event hosted four balloon launches and a NightGlow for participants to come and see the balloons in full swing.
Starting in 1984, Balloon Meister Van Anderson decided he wanted to bring hot air balloons to Morgantown after seeing them at a festival in New York for the first time. From there, Balloons Over Morgantown was born.

Andy Claydon, Balloons Over Morgantown Event organizer, said Morgantown is an enjoyable and interesting place to fly balloons, compared to other places he has been to.
“Flying over this countryside is wonderful,” Claydon said. “If you fly out west somewhere, you basically take off, and you land wherever you want to, and what you see is mostly the same.
This area is very challenging with the hills and valleys.”

The event previously started as a festival where guests could come park and watch the balloons take off all in one location. However, because of a lack of space, Balloons Over Morgantown has been launching the balloons all around Morgantown the past three years instead.

“The only time we can really get the public and the balloons together is at the NightGlow, because there is no area where we can park cars, have entertainment, fly the balloons and have everyone close to the balloons at the same time,” Claydon said.

Claydon said although the balloons fly over the place the event is, it is still a great way to bring the community together. He said he encourages everyone to come and try and spot the balloons when they are in town.
“I think the first time you see a balloon up close you’ll know why you want to go and see one,” Claydon said. “They’re a rather wonderful aircraft. After all, the first time man was ever able to fly was with the balloon. There is just something about them.”

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7 Ways to Choose the Best Hot Air Balloon Rides on the Web

There are different ways of ballooning. You could grab a BB gun, strap some weather balloons to a lawn chair and float over restricted air-space. However, if you prefer to truly enjoy your air ballooning experience, you must know what questions need to be asked as well as pointers on how to choose hot air ballooning adventure on the web.
1. You must know how long the hot air ballooning company has been operating. This is a good gauge of safety and customer service and how successful the operations are. Being in the business for a long time suggests that the company has a keen eye on detail, and has been generating satisfied customers. As with any business, the current and potential market will eventually clear out service providers that provide poor service. Poor service meaning, unsafe practices, high margin of accidents, little value for money and a lake of customer focus.
2. Go for locally owned and operated hot air balloon companies, instead of brokers who often than not base their services on the volume of bookings rather than the level of service that is rendered.
3. Check the proximity of the launch site and compare travel distances. A balloon rides can take up to approximately 2.5 hours. Travelling more than the tour time may be fun given that you have the entire weekend to gallivant through the land. It is much advised that you book for flights that will be convenient and accessible.
4. A hot air balloon experience need not be a traumatic experience to you pockets. If you fervently search hard enough, you will discover companies that offer attractively priced packages that will surely delight you. Discounts for certain age groups and number of participants are available especially during off peak ballooning season.
5. Balloon pilots are required to have completed a certain number of flight hours before they are allowed to fly in a hot air balloon. Pilot credentials are an important factor to look at when choosing a service provider. Exceptional skills combined with lots of experience are one of the factors that make companies reliable and safe.
6. Take a look around cyber zone and read on posts and blogs of people who have either tried or are complete enthusiasts of balloon rides. This is where someone else's two cents can be of significance to that perfect adventure you are looking for.
7. Balloon flights are weather reliant. Instead of leaving the weather research to the pilot, you can be a step ahead and learn of what weather and wind conditions the balloons fly best in. Choosing the right atmospheric conditions can define the success or the failure of your flight. Being in the know of all the elements that make up a successful flight can help you choose the best charter that can take your dreams to flight.
In any chosen endeavour, planning and advanced knowledge results to a positive and successful outcome. With the convenience of the internet, data gathering is a cinch. Play it by ear and let your fingers do the walking, after all is set and done, you can then easily look forward to that scheduled adventure that will take your joys to a whole new level of flight.

Harold Gorton is a lover of hot air ballooning. He is also an experienced writer and enjoys sharing information and tips on hot air ballooning with other like-minded people. Harold Gorton has experienced and tried hot air ballooning all around Australia and recommends anyone interested in hot air balloon rides to give it a go!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harold_Gorton

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DAILY NEWS / TRENDING NEWS

Adventure Guide: Up In The Air

Some hoping Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic helps community through difficult year

Idaho's favorite hot air balloons returning in September: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic