Channelling My Inner Elphaba at the Best Hot Air Balloon Companies in Edmonton
I used to think that I had no interest in flying; riding the airplane is enough. But then, on my birthday last year, my mother gifted me with a hot air balloon ride, and oh my god!
My first thought was, “Now, I can understand why Elphaba burst out into a musical number when she discovered she could fly.” It was just so exhilarating and terrifying, and the view! So gorgeous!
Since then, I’ve been trying to ride hot air balloons whenever I can. There are a few in Edmonton that offer this experience. If you’re interested, check them out below!
Sundance Balloons
– From: sundanceballoons
Headquarters Address: 48 Crampton Dr, Belmont, ON
Launch Areas in Edmonton:
- Buena Vista Park, 79 Ave NW and 131 St NW
- Muttart Conservatory, 9626–96A St
- Rundle Park, near the tennis courts and ball diamonds
- Borden Park, 7507 Borden Park Rd NW
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm (ET)
Prices:
- Weekend Morning: C$240–250 per person
- Weekend Evening: C$290–300 per person
- Anytime Flight: C$310–320
Contact Number: +15194736444
If you can only book a hot balloon ride from one company, let it be Sundance Balloons. This company is well-established in Canada; even though its main office is in Brampton, Ontario, they offer rides to several cities across the country!
A hot balloon ride hosted by Sundance Balloons was actually my first time, and it made quite an impression. We launched from Rundle Park and then slowly made our way down the River Valley area.
I chose the morning flight, so the view I got was the Edmonton skyline set against the backdrop of a sun-lit blue sky. There were no clouds during that day, too; it was almost like the universe wanted me to see the city and the sky in all its glory.
I haven’t tried the evening flight, but a friend has, and she says the impression of the scenery is more romantic. The ride launched just after sunset, so the sky still had remnants of pinks and purples. Plus, the buildings looked like twinkling stars because of all their lights!
| Pro Tips: If you want to score a deal, book a ride with four or more people. Doing so gives you a slight discount on the price. Sundance often holds promotions during special holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. |
Breakaway Experiences
Launch Areas in Edmonton: To be shared when booking
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday—9 am to 5 pm
Price: C$325 per person
Contact Number: +18008138412
Craving an experience that’s both fun and heart-pumping at the same time? Breakaway Experience is your best bet. This company offers all types of exciting experiences—from water sports to driving to flying!
A hot air balloon ride is one of the most popular options here. This one also lets you explore the Edmonton River Valley area from an altitude of 1,000 feet, but I like that we travel to the outskirts of the city so that I can get a glimpse of the Alberta countryside as well. Seeing the green fields in contrast to the towering skyscrapers is so surreal!
This ride lasts for an hour, which is ample time to drink in the scenery and take pictures. Then, once your time is up, you’ll be escorted back to the launch site, where you get to enjoy a glass of champagne! What better way to end an exciting hot air balloon ride, am I right?
| Pro Tips: Every time you book a hot air balloon ride at Breakaway Experiences, you can score a C$50 gift card. You can use this gift card for other experiences—or maybe you want to use it for another hot air balloon ride! Additionally, this company has a points reward program called Breakaway Points. With every C$10 you spend, you can earn 1 reward point. Earn enough points, and you can earn rewards like discounts and cashbacks! |
Air-ristocrat Balloon Rides
Address: 4516 47 St, Red Deer
Distance from EDM: Around 1 hour and 45 minutes (drive)
Price: C$325 per person, C$795 per person (The Erika Project)
Contact Number: +14033027167
Okay, technically, Air-ristocrat Balloon Rides isn’t based in Edmonton, nor does it launch in the city. But it’s a cool experience, and if you’re willing, Red Deer is a 1-hour-plus drive away.
The main thing I love about this hot air balloon ride is the different scenery. While the Edmonton balloon rides are mostly cityscape, this one is an expansive view of green fields. Of course, I can still see the silhouettes of buildings and skyscrapers, but they look so tiny from my vantage point.
Another thing I love about this company is that they offer tethered balloon rides. Essentially, your hot air balloon ascends to a great height, but it’s tied down to the ground. It’s not as exciting as a moving balloon ride, but it’s still fun.
It’s definitely a great choice for people who are kind of scared of riding a hot air balloon but still want to experience it. The young children in my family are big fans.
Air-ristocrat Balloon Rides also has a new experience called The Erika Project. This hot air balloon comes with safety seats and accommodates two people, making it perfect for an intimate ride. From what I’ve noticed, older people tend to book this experience, but I’ve seen people my age ride this hot air balloon as well.
| Pro Tips: All payments are not refundable, but they are fully transferable. So, if you can’t make it on your chosen date, you can reschedule it to a different day. If you want to book a private ride for a special event, you can send a request to [email protected]. Want to learn how to operate your very own hot air balloon? You can book a flight training course here! |