Up, up, and away...for something cheaper than my airline flight there

August 2, 2009 9:47 PM

I'm looking for recommendations for hot air balloon ride operators in Albuquerque.

I'm going to be visiting relatives in Albuquerque this October during the Balloon Fiesta. I'm thinking about going for a balloon ride while I'm there. The official ride provider (Rainbow Ryders) seems fine, and, in fact, is the only operator that I can find any reviews about online. During the Fiesta though their rides are a little more than I'd like to spend. It looks like everybody's prices are higher then, but does anyone have any recommendations or experiences with any other operators?

I'm not particularly interested in taking off from somewhere besides (greater) Albuquerque. I also don't really care about extras--food, souvenirs, etc.--either.

posted by sevenless to Travel & Transportation (1 answer total)

I used to live in Albuquerque, and in fact my neighbor was a hot air balloon pilot. I regularly would go out in the back of her pick-up truck and crew. Many people seemed really open to having people help crew; it was a lot of fun, and sometimes they'll take you up in the balloon as payment. It has been a few years since I attended a balloon fiesta, but I remember you could show up and volunteer to crew. You might not get up in the balloon, but it's all part of the ballooning experience.

You could also probably put an ad on Craigslist. Most of the people with balloons aren't out there to score a buck off tourists; they're there to enjoy ballooning. You might find someone open to taking you up in exchange for less than an "official" ride provider, provided that you also help crew (which isn't that hard, and usually involves free food).
posted by rybreadmed at 11:09 PM on August 2, 2009