zaksgrandma

We are thinking of splurging on a hot air balloon ride when we are in New Mexico in late May. I have searched on line and found companies which go out of Albuquerque or Taos. The pictures show the Taos balloons going over the Rio Grande gorge while the Albuquerque ones seem to go over the city. Knowing that advertisements can be deceiving, I am asking for advice from anyone who has done either ride. Please share advice and experiences, as this will most likely be a once in a lifetime event for us. There appears to be a significant difference in price (Albuquerque is cheaper) but I do not want price to be my only factor.

THanks

DebitNM

Which companies are you looking at? That makes a big difference.

I fly out of ABQ and it's pretty neat just to be up in the air, but Taos would offer better views.

zaksgrandma

The companies we are looking at are The Pueblo Balloon Co in Taos and Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque. Do you know either? They are the only ones I found online, but am open to other suggestions if you have some. I am leaning towards Taos for the better views although they are a good deal more expensive.

DebitNM

I think it is better to fly in Taos. I am on a crew, so I don't fly on commercial flights. There is another Taos company, http://taosballooning.com/. I can't recommend one over another, but I suggest you check FAA for their flight histories, to know their safety record. Price isn't the deciding factor, safety is.

Cranachin

Deb is right on the safety part.

Many years ago, I took a flight with a commercial company (Rainbow Ryders, I think) during the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. (There were tons — probably literally hundreds — of balloons aloft then, so the experience can't quite be compared to what the OP is considering. It was amazing to see from the air!)

A strong wind came up, and the captain set us down with what he said was the hardest landing he had ever experienced. The basket bounced a couple of times and then tipped on its side, and we were dragged 100 yards or so before stopping (with a huge tumbleweed blocking our way out, and a long "skid mark" on the ground to show for it). He did a fine job getting us down, but it was a little harrowing.

As we were milling about, celebrating the ride, I heard a loud "pop". Another balloon had hit some high voltage lines nearby, and the envelope was severed from the gondola. The two occupants fell 100 feet and died. Fortunately, I did not see the actual incident—just heard it and turned around to see the ballon floating away with no basket underneath. Several people in our party did see it happen, though. (Another possible factor in favor of Taos? The fewer the navigational hazards, like power lines and buildings, the more places there are to land in case of an emergency.)

That's not to scare you from taking a ballon ride—after all, such incidents do not happen every day, and people ride in cars and fly in airplanes despite the risk of an accident. But you do want to go with capable people, as hot-air balloons do not have motors and are at the mercy of the wind.

DebitNM

Cranachin is spot-on; I unfortunately remember that incident, only too well. There is danger involved by the very nature of the activity. In the dozens of times I have flown, I have only had one rough landing, but they do happen.

The pilots I fly with are consummate professionals who are super conservative when deciding if and when to fly and as a result, I am very comfortable flying with them. I trust them completely. They fly for the love of flying and as such, have no financial interest to "have to launch."

If you decide to fly, make sure you don't leave it to the last day you are around because if the weather isn't good, you will lose out on flying. Try to leave an extra day when you can reschedule if need be. The first time I visited NM [before moving here]we had reservation in Taos for a flight. The winds were too strong and so no go. We unfortunately had to leave that afternoon, so we never did go up. Luckily, I have more than made up for it. Not everyone likes to fly; my DH will chase crew, but not fly.

zaksgrandma

Yikes, that's a scary story. But when I looked at the video at the Taos Balloon site, I was in awe!!!! So, if we do it, Taos, it is. Now, how to decide between the two companies: Taos Balloon or Pueblo Balloon. ANyone have any experience with either?