Colorado Springs: Sunrise Balloon Ride & Champagne Toast

4.73

(138 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so awake at 5:30am, but standing in that chilly field near Memorial Park, watching the balloon fill up, it was like my brain switched on before my body did. There was this quiet hum from the burners and a bunch of sleepy faces, some wrapped in blankets. Our pilot—Mike, I think—had this calm way of explaining everything, even when I asked if we’d see Garden of the Gods from up there (he just grinned and said, “Wait for it”).

The lift-off was weirdly gentle. Suddenly the ground just slipped away and Colorado Springs spread out below us—patches of gold light on rooftops, tiny cars moving like toys. The sun hit Pikes Peak and for a second it looked almost pink. Someone pointed out deer in the fields near Garden of the Gods—honestly I would’ve missed them if our guide hadn’t spotted them first. The air up there smelled cold and dry, almost metallic? It’s hard to describe but I still remember it.

After maybe an hour (I lost track), we drifted down into a field while people waved from their backyards. Landing was bumpier than takeoff—someone laughed when we tipped sideways a bit but nobody minded. Then came the champagne toast; Mike told us it’s a ballooning tradition, which made me feel like I’d joined some small club for a morning. I tried to say “cheers” in French (no idea why) and got it wrong—nobody cared. So yeah, if you’re thinking about a sunrise balloon ride in Colorado Springs, I’d say go for it. Just don’t expect to look cool climbing out of the basket.