What is a Balloon Tether?
A tethered balloon is attached to the ground so it can’t float freely.
Balloon tethers allow us to launch and land in the same spot, and provide short rides in a real hot air balloon to large groups of people. Our team specializes in providing balloon tethers, and our multiple doored-entry baskets allow us to take up far more people per hour than our competitors, and removes the need for passengers to climb up and over a traditional basket.
How Does It Work?
We use a 4-point top tether system to tether the balloon and keep riders safe.
For each event we’re able to conduct about 50 rides, and we’re able to take up four to six participants during each ride, depending on the total weight. Using our four point top tether system, we take the balloon up to about 80 feet (depending on event space and wind speed), which most people say is “higher than I thought I’d be.”
Who Can Participate?
Nearly everyone–from children to adults to the elderly and handicapped!
Traditional balloon baskets have NO door, and there are very few balloon baskets in the U.S. that actually have a door. While climbing over a basket isn’t a problem for most people, it’s near impossible for some, such as individuals with knee and hip conditions, and persons who rely on a cane, walker, or wheel chair.
Because we use a basket with a door, those individuals are NOT excluded from our tethered rides, and can participate fully! The door is 100% see-through, allowing wheel chair participants to see and experience the view, as well as kids under 46 inches tall.
Event Requirements
Wide Open Space
We’ll need a space at your event of at least 175 x 175 feet, free of trees and power lines.
Morning/Evening Time
The best time and weather for tethers is typically until three hours past sunrise, and two hours before sunset.
Cooperative Weather
Tethers are extremely weather dependent and require ideal conditions to be conducted safely.
