Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta starts October 4 and runs through October 12, but there’s still time for members of the jet set to fly there in style. The Balloon Fiesta is the world’s premiere ballooning event and bills itself as the most photographed event in the world. (Balloonfiesta.com.) Follow these tips to literally rise above
The best place to stay near the event is at the Sandia Casino Resort (sandiacasino.com), for five star accommodations along with a vibrant nightlife. It is only minutes away, and with a south facing room, you won’t even have leave the comforts of your bed for a stunning view. A few miles up the road, I also recommend the Hyatt Tamaya resort on the Santa Ana reservation (tamaya.hyatt.com) for those looking for a more relaxed stay. Both resorts are booked, but there are always last minute cancellations.
You might want to put the night life on hold, the balloons have their mass ascension before dawn, and the park opens as early as four in the morning. Several hundred balloons will rise at once. In order to be in the air rather than one of the hundreds of thousands on the ground, you must book a flight in advance. To book a balloon flight, go to: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
A balloon ride can be exhilarating and a little scary, but imagine taking off with a few hundred fellow balloonists, right as the desert sun is rising over the 10,000 foot Sandia Crest. There is also an event known as the Special Shapes Rodeo, which features the more exotic balloons. Last year there were balloons shaped like Darth Vader’s helmet, a flying saucer and a dairy sponsored one balloon depicting a gigantic cow jumping over a moon. Google “Balloon Fiesta special shapes” for some of the images.
Still be warned, the event is very, very crowded, and it pays to have a VIP pass to watch the special shapes from the Balloon Fiesta Museum to the south. The massive Balloon Fiesta Park can feel like a dusty state fair, but it does have the best green chile breakfast burritos ever, and some cute gifts. Those with more refined tastes, you might check out the corporate events in that vicinity that serve a mean Bloody Mary that can take away the sting of early morning traffic. Some wheeling and dealing online can get you into supposedly closed events.
During the ten day of the fiesta, there will be at least one cancellation due to the wind during the week, so you might want to book a balloon flight for more than one day. The event usually ends by ten in the morning, so intrepid travelers might think of some other tours for the rest of the day. The fiesta website has several excellent suggestions: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
A slow balloon ride into the crisp desert air of Albuquerque might be the perfect escape from the fast paced life of the jetset lifestyle.
