Seattle Ballooning’s Hot Air Balloon Ride – Preflight Experience
As you approach the Muckleshoot Casino, you’ll feel the excitement building inside you. You are about to embark on an adventure like no other – a hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Once you arrive at the casino, your experienced pilot will greet you and provide a safety orientation. Then, you’ll hop into the chase vans and head out to the balloon launch site. As you travel to the launch site, your pilot will share fascinating stories about the history of hot air ballooning, providing insight into this incredible ballooning adventure.
Upon arrival at the launch site, your expert ballooning crew will begin preparing the hot air balloon for takeoff. You’ll watch in awe as they deftly manipulate the massive folds of colorful fabric, expertly preparing the balloon for flight. As you stand at the edge of the vast open field, you’ll feel the excitement coursing through your veins.
Your Balloon Ride Begins!
When it’s time to take off, you’ll step into the hot air balloon basket, your heart racing with anticipation. As the balloon rises into the sky, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Hellens in the distance. The morning sun will begin to peek over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.
As you move effortlessly with the winds, you will enjoy the views of the Green and White river, Lake Tapps and Lake Washington, beautiful farmland, and spectacular views of the Puget Sound from 3,000ft – 5000ft.
As you soar higher and higher into the sky, you’ll be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The forests, valleys, and rolling hills will stretch out below you, and you’ll feel a sense of awe wash over you as you take it all in. The gentle movement of the balloon will be incredibly calming. As you drift through the sky, you will feel like you are on top of the world, and the sense of freedom will be intoxicating. But the real highlight of your Seattle hot air balloon tour will come when you reach the peak of your ascent and are treated to a stunning view of Mt. Rainier in all its glory. The massive mountain will loom in front of you, its snow-capped peak glowing in the early morning light.
As you gaze upon the breathtaking landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, you’ll be awestruck by the majestic beauty of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Hellens. With its massive crater, the latter looms just south of Rainier, adding to the region’s natural splendor. To the west, the tranquil waters of The Puget Sound stretch out as far as the eye can see, providing a stunning contrast to the rugged terrain of the mountains. And to the north, the Emerald City of Seattle beckons, its skyline dominated by the iconic Space Needle. It’s a scene that truly must be seen to be believed.
Post Flight Ballooning Celebration
Your entire Seattle Ballooning hot air balloon adventure will be truly magical, and you will never forget the feeling of flying in a hot air balloon in front of Mt. Rainier at sunrise. The adventure of a lifetime awaits, and you will be forever grateful for the chance to see Seattle’s natural beauty from above.
As you make your graceful descent back to earth, you will be unable to help but feel a sense of accomplishment and wonder. A group of smiling faces will greet you, and lead you to a table where a bottle of ice-cold champagne is waiting. The pilots will recite the balloonist’s toast, and you’ll all raise a glass in a toast to your incredible hot air ballooning experience.
As you sip the sparkling wine, you learn about the fascinating history of ballooning and the story of where it all began. You listen in awe as the stories unfold, feeling truly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
With the champagne toast complete, you take one last look at the hot air balloon being packed away by the crew, knowing that you will never forget this luxurious and adventurous experience.
Seattle Ballooning’s hot air balloon rides are regarded as the ‘Best Balloon Ride in the Northwest’ with views of Mt Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, Auburn, Lake Tapps, beautiful rolling farmland…and much more. Fly with us and experience the breathtaking views yourself!
Shared Hot Air Balloon Rides
Our shared hot air balloon rides include the romance of a private flight with the addition of four to eight additional guests. Our hot air balloons have oversized compartments. Meaning you’ll have plenty of space with unobstructed views. You can select a shared sunrise or sunset flight. Both are amazing.
With a maximum of eight to ten guests in the basket (plus the pilot), you’ll get a personal and safe experience with the luxury of flying in a commercial-grade hot air balloon. Get ready for panoramic views on this exciting high flying excursion.
Helping with the setup and takedown of the hot air balloon isn’t required, but we find many guests enjoy being involved in the process of inflation and pack-up.
Private Hot Air Balloon Rides
We have intimate private hot air balloons for two and private group flights with guests up to 10. Many couples and families are interested in booking private experiences to celebrate those special occasions.
These private flights are luxurious and a great way to go on an adventure together. There’s no substitute for the intimacy of a private hot air balloon ride for two! For groups with older individuals or young kids we suggest booking a sunrise flight due to slow winds.
Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, checking ballooning off your bucket list, or another special occasion, we’ll make sure it is amazing. You’ll cherish your hot air balloon experience for years to come!