Hot air balloon ride in Aosta

Flying in a hot-air balloon is an extraordinary experience worth trying at least once in a lifetime!

It is both an exciting and relaxing activity that offers breathtaking views and a unique feeling of freedom. In a hot-air balloon you have the impression of floating lighter than air while enjoying a 360° panorama, as if from a terrace suspended in the skies.

The silence is interrupted only by the breath of the burner that heats the balloon. You can fly slowly, close to the ground, skimming over trees, fields and small towns, or rise a few thousand metres without almost noticing, no other aircraft offers you this versatility.

When you fly in a hot air balloon you know the take-off point but you don't know where the precise landing point will be, this is the philosophy and also the principle of ballooning: flying for the pleasure of flying without a predefined destination by following the winds.

Charbonnier Ballooning, a certified operator since 1982, will be delighted to welcome you on board.

What we will do

The meeting is scheduled to take place at our premises at the announced time. The area is provided with ample parking and the possibility of spending the night with campers in peace and quiet. Groups of passengers, from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 35 on one or more hot air balloons, with a maximum of 20 people per balloon, will meet up with the pilots and crew who will accompany them throughout the activity.

After check-in and a briefing of about 10 minutes, we all board our minibuses and off-road vehicles to reach the take-off point, which is about a 10-minute drive away. There are several take-off points all around Aosta, the pilot in charge checks the winds that morning and decides where best to take off.

It can happen that crews leave early and start inflating the balloons. For those who wish to attend all balloon inflation operations, we ask that they arrive 20 minutes before the agreed time.

Once the balloons have been inflated, the experience begins, each passenger is assigned to a pilot, and we set off into the air. The duration of the flight is about 1 hour , we fly over the central valley of Aosta, altitude and distance vary depending on the winds, sometimes we do a longer journey but climb less, on other occasions we do less km but climb higher in altitude. At other times, there are different winds and you return close to your starting point.

In flight, you have the unique opportunity to see Europe's highest mountains (Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn, Gran Paradiso) from an unusual vantage point in complete safety. The average altitude reached during each flight is 2,000-3,000 metres (average flight height in Italy is around 300 m above the ground). The suggestive and unique location will allow you a 360° view, giving you the chance to admire both the valley below and the peaks in front of you.

Upon landing, we will fold up the balloon and return to the initial meeting point, where we will hand you your Air Baptism certificate.

The whole experience lasts approximately 2h30-3h. including the actual flying time.

Who it is aimed at

Flying in a hot-air balloon is a suitable activity for anyone in good health.

It is not possible to fly if:

• You have handicaps or disabilities, diseases or syndromes that are in conflict with ballooning or altitude. In particular: you must not suffer from any type of heart disease, bone deficiency problems, serious back problems, you must not have hearing compensation problems, you cannot fly if you are pregnant.
• You are not able to enter and exit the basket independently, i.e. take one/two steps, pass one leg at a time on the other side of the guardrail, and descend inside the basket.
• You are unable to maintain the correct support position when landing (bend your knees while holding on to the handles).
• You are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• You have a body weight greater than 110 kg.

The minimum age for flying is 7 years, with a height of at least 1.20 cm. Minors under 16 years of age always accompanied by an adult and with parental consent.

If you have any doubts, consult your specialist and bring a medical certificate stating that you are fit to fly in a hot-air balloon. It is important to remove any doubts about the state of your health, otherwise it could affect your safety and that of the other passengers.

Other information

Upon confirmation of your booking you will receive our contact details:

• The presence of any accompanying persons, who will be able to board our vehicles or follow us by car;
• optional balloon-selfie request (photo selfie, you will be able to purchase it before starting the experience at a cost of €20.00);
• any doubts about fitness to fly.

Important: you must arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before the chosen time of the activity!

Recommended clothing

Comfortable clothing and flat shoes

Don't forget to bring

• fanny pack, backpack or small bag
• camera