To make sure you're perfectly prepared for your flight this summer, here's some practical information so you can enjoy the experience with complete peace of mind, just like when you're in the air!
To check in, you'll need an ID card and the confirmation e-mail for your flight, either printed out or downloaded to your phone. You will then receive your boarding pass and be asked to sign the liability waiver.
The flight includes access to the site to enjoy the festival on the day of the flight. If the festival takes place on August 12, 13 or 14, you will have an open ticket for use between August 15 and 18 inclusive.
Your pilot will pick you up in the take-off zone. Stay alert and follow the pilot's instructions. If you wish, you can help inflate the balloon! If the take-off takes place in a nearby park, you'll go with the pilot and his team in a pursuit vehicle.
Please note that groups of more than 4 people will be divided into sub-groups in the hot-air balloons.
You can bring your own camera to immortalize your experience. Please note that we are not responsible for loss or damage. You must ensure that you only carry what you need for your flight.
There will be no space to leave your personal belongings on site. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. It is forbidden to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
On landing, you can expect an impact similar to a jump from a kitchen chair. Once again, pay close attention to your pilot's instructions. Once the envelope and equipment have been repatriated, the chase team will take you back to the festival site.
In the event of cancellation, you must arrive on the same day to reschedule your flight or request a refund at the passenger kiosk. Please note that we will not accept any requests for refunds or rescheduling of flights by telephone or e-mail.
Refunds will only be issued upon presentation of the credit card used for the original transaction. Please note that flight postponements can only be made for the 2024 edition. If there is no availability, you will receive a refund.
The hot-air balloons that fly during the festival generally accommodate between 2 and 4 people.
For groups of more than 4 people, you will be divided into sub-groups.
Your flight ticket includes not only the balloon flight, but also a daily ticket for use on the day of your flight. If your flight takes place on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, you'll have an open ticket for use between August 15 and 18 inclusive.
No, you can take advantage of free parking on the festival site for your a.m. flight. However, if you're planning to stay for the day to enjoy the shows and activities, you'll need to purchase access to parking through our ticket office.
No. However, there are four criteria that must be met:
Yes. For safety reasons, please note that :
→ Persons suffering from back pain, heart ailments, less than 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall, pregnant women (or women who believe they are pregnant) and passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted to the flight.
→ A hot-air balloon flight can aggravate a previous injury.
→ If you've had joint replacement surgery, consult your doctor and mention it to the pilot.
→ If you suffer from allergies or a serious medical condition, tell the pilot. Make sure you're prepared for any eventuality (bring your medication: EpiPen, insulin, etc.);
→ If you need to take medication at a fixed time, it's advisable to have it with you as flight times can vary.
Note: If you suffer from a medical condition or have any questions about your abilities, please consult your doctor and inform the balloon pilot.
→ Young people aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
→ Passengers must be physically fit to:
→ Easily climb in and out of the basket on their own, hold onto something without assistance and remain upright throughout the flight;
→ Use the step on the side of the basket to step over its edge;
→ Take the shock of landing. This is the equivalent of a jump from a kitchen chair. Sometimes it can be a little more abrupt, so it's important to take this into consideration;
→ Be able to walk on uneven terrain.
At the Passenger Kiosk, located on the festival site.
As your flight approaches, an e-mail will be sent to you with all the information you need to know about your arrival at the festival.
Hot-air balloon gondolas are equipped with either a door or a step allowing passengers to climb inside. As it's impossible to choose your balloon, all passengers must be able to use the footboard to step over the edge of the basket (average basket height = 3.5 feet).
The important thing is to be comfortable. As it's often cooler at higher altitudes and you'll be landing on farmland, remember to bring long clothes that will keep you warm and protect you from mosquitoes. With a pair of comfortable shoes, you'll be ready for your adventure!
Of course! We strongly encourage you to bring a camera so you can capture this magical moment.
Please note that neither we nor the driver and his team can be held responsible for any lost or dropped items.
No, you need to make sure you only carry what you need for your flight.
Usually, the landing takes place in a field close to a road or path to facilitate recovery of the balloon. That said, since the strength and direction of the wind have a major influence on a hot-air balloon's route, each departure leads to a different destination.
Thanks to tracking teams. One team follows the balloon from the moment it leaves and stays in communication with the pilot throughout the flight. On landing, they help the pilot repack the envelope and return the equipment to the trailer. Everyone then returns to the starting point in the pursuit vehicle.
To make the most of your hot-air ballooning experience, you can help the pilot and his team repatriate all the equipment. However, please make sure you have the pilot's permission!
Before departure, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver form, which releases International Balloon Club and the pilot from all liability. Please bear in mind that flying is an activity with inherent risk.
Your balloon flight may be rescheduled during the festival or refunded. However, you must go to the ballooning box office to schedule a discount or receive a refund.
Yes, the price remains the same.
No or too strong winds (more than 12 km/h), rain and thunderstorm cells within a 50 km radius are unfavorable conditions for take-off.
Sometimes the conditions do not seem favorable during the hours preceding the flight and the flight still takes place. The opposite is also likely. Flight directors (balloonmeisters) analyze the weather conditions before each flight, in order to give their authorization.
Please note that a late take-off time may affect the duration of the flight. Depending on the decision of the balloonmeisters, each pilot is responsible for his flight and can decide to fly or not, depending on the conditions.
We cannot guarantee the exact duration of the flight, as it depends on the weather conditions at the time of take-off. However, a flight lasts approximately 1 hour. As a passenger, you should allow 3 to 4 hours for the total duration of the activity, which includes meeting the pilot, setting up the equipment and inflating, the flight, landing, packing up the equipment and returning to the departure point.
Hot air balloons can fly because warm air is lighter than cold air. On summer days, when the sun warms the earth, a phenomenon occurs that creates hotter or cooler zones and wind vortices that represent a risk for hot-air balloons. By flying very early in the morning and at the end of the day, the earth is sufficiently cold and thermal phenomena are practically absent, which allows us to fly safely.
A hot air balloon flies on average around 2 to 3000 feet of altitude, but may sometimes have to go to more than 6000 feet to find a wind with a more favorable direction and speed. It is also possible to fly at less than 1000 feet, or even at the top of the trees of a forest, to give a totally different view of the landscape.
The short version is that it is impossible to steer a hot air balloon.
The long version is that a pilot is able, in some way, to steer his balloon according to the altitude and the winds.
Approximately, we lose 2 degrees Celsius for every 1,000 feet of altitude. So if it is 20 degrees Celsius on the ground, it will be about 18 degrees Celsius at 1,000 feet, and so on. Also, since the balloon is moving at the same speed as the wind, you will hardly feel the wind factor during the flight.
No, however, we ask passengers to specify on the reservation form the languages that are understood and spoken, in order to facilitate the assignment to a pilot.
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