Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides

Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides lifts off at sunrise and sunset, when the air over the Champlain Valley is calmest and the light is at its best. From the basket, you can see farm fields and forest below, the Green Mountain foothills to the east, and Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the west. Your FAA-licensed pilot starts with a safety briefing, and you can watch the crew inflate the balloon before you lift off for about an hour in the air. Every flight ends with a balloonists’ tradition: a toast with French bubbles or sparkling cider, Vermont-made truffles, and stories from the flight. Frommer’s has named Above Reality one of the world’s ten best hot air balloon adventures, and private charters are available for couples, families, and special occasions.

Flights depart from the Essex area, about 50 minutes from Topnotch, and run from late spring through fall foliage season. Plan on three to four hours from check-in to the final toast, and a sunrise flight means an early start, so set your alarm accordingly. Ballooning depends on the weather, and the crew will reschedule if conditions aren’t safe, so check Above Reality’s website for flight details and booking. Then head back to Topnotch for a nap in your room, which you’ve more than earned after a sunrise wake-up call.