One of our favorite things about waking up early is looking up in the Sedona sky and seeing a hot air balloon. The colorful balloons make the sky just that much more magical. And chief pilot for the Sedona-based Northern Light Balloon Expeditions, Blair Preston, thinks he knows why hot air ballooning is seen as such a classic Southwestern activity.
“Part of the reason is the area is so dynamic that you’re able to enjoy it in a slow and steady pace, which is what you have in a hot air balloon, both from a distance and up close. We’ve gone into the
Canyon and sometimes you’re within feet of the red walls. Everything is done so slowly that the majesty of the area, you can take it in better because you’re not contained like you would be in a plane or helicopter. It’s pretty awesome,” says Blair. “It’s quite an interesting perspective. Sedona’s a beautiful city. It really is.” Riders soar high up at roughly 3,000 feet and are given a bird’s eye view of the Verde Valley. They can pass over and see sites like Cathedral Rock, Oak Creek, Courthouse Butte and even as far north as the San Francisco Peaks. Tours are about 90 minutes and take off from a designated spot in Forest Service land in West Sedona. Tours start early in the morning so customers can catch sunrise.
Blair tells us that “rivers” of wind in the sky largely dictate where the balloon goes that day. After 32 years up in the sky with Northern Light Balloon Expeditions, Blair says cruising high up in
the Sedona sky never gets old. One of the reasons is because of Sedona’s undeniable natural beauty. “The other side of it for me is that I’ve got people in that basket with me that, in some cases, this is the most exciting thing they’ve ever done in their lives. And the fact that I get to share in that every day is enough to make me look forward to the flight,” says Blair.
After the balloon has landed, riders enjoy a Champagne breakfast to cap off the experience.
SEDONA HOT AIR BALLOON COMPANIES
Northern Light Balloon Expeditions
928-282-2274
northernlightballoons.com
Red Rock Balloons
928-284-0040
redrockballoons.com
