DUE TO WEATHER, AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PILOTS, THE FRIDAY MORNING LAUNCH HAS BEEN CANCELED

Due to extreme weather conditions (low cloud ceiling and high winds), the Friday Balloon Festival launch has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. The forecast shows a clear evening, so the Night Glow will still go on as scheduled, 7:30-8:30pm, and does not require a reservation to attend!

The Saturday and Sunday Balloon launches are still on schedule, parking reservations are currently SOLD OUT.

We have put together a list of alternate viewing opportunities here!

The iconic Snowmass Balloon Festival returns to Snowmass Village for its 45th year, September 11-13, 2020. The event will include three days of morning hot air balloon launches, and a Friday evening Balloon Night Glow. While the tradition of the festival carries on, the 2020 event will have to be experienced a little differently to ensure we maintain social distancing standards set by our community.

This year, spectators are encouraged to drive in, hike up, or bike around to take in the sights and sounds of the morning balloon launches taking place 7:00am-10:00am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be no festival grounds, vendors, kids’ play area, or access to the launch site, as in years past. Click here for a “how-to” guide to hiking and biking Snowmass’ trails for best balloon viewing.

To watch the balloons from the comfort of your car, parked adjacent to the launch site at Town Park Station or Brush Creek Road, you must register in advance for a spot. Drive-in spots are limited 250 cars each day, so please click here to register in advance.

To view the balloons from Snowmass’ trails, read our “how-to” guide that details where to park and what trails offer the best views for hikers and bikers. Free parking can be found at the Brush Creek Park and Ride, the Snowmass Rodeo Lot, the Tom Blake Trailhead, Little Red Schoolhouse, the Snowmass Mall, and the Snowmass Base Village Parking Garage. These lots are for day use only; guests are not permitted to park and sit in their cars to watch the festival in these lots. Instead, please register to watch from the designated parking area at Town Park and along Brush Creek.

Tune in to our local FM transmission on 92.1 FM to hear our event emcee, Brandon Blocker, providing commentary about the festival, balloons and pilots during each morning balloon launch, 7:00am-10:00am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Face masks, social distancing, and trail etiquette are required.

After you’ve seen the balloons in all their beauty, stroll the Snowmass Mall or Base Village to enjoy breakfast/brunch and sidewalk sales. Bring your mat for Yoga on The Rink with Aaron King, 9:30-10:30am on Saturday and Sunday, with an encore class on Saturday afternoon, 3:30-4:30pm ($20 per person, registration recommended). On Saturday afternoon, live music and entertainment will make for a lively atmosphere during Social Saturday on the Snowmass Mall, with activities running from 2:00-8:00pm, followed by Movies Under the Stars in Base Village.

Friday Breakfast and Lunch Options (Click Here for Saturday & Sunday)

The Artisan: open for breakfast 7-10am

Big Hoss: open 7:30am – 9pm

Black Saddle: open 11am – 8pm, reservations are required 970.923.9190

Daly Diner: open 7am for breakfast, 11am – 3pm for lunch

Elk Camp: open 11am – 4pm

Fuel: open 7am – 3pm

Pastore’s Taste of Philly: open 11am – 8pm

Snowmass Kitchen: open 7am – 10pm

The Crepe Shack: open 11am – 5pm

Toro at Viceroy: open 7 – 11am and 5:30 – 9:30pm

***Summer 2020 events are slated to happen in one form or another; however, changes and cancellations may still occur. Snowmass Tourism and its event partners are diligently working to reengineer each event to meet the public health orders as they are announced. Please check back frequently for any changes or updates.***

How To Get Here

The Snowmass Balloon Festival takes place in Snowmass Town Park. The Snowmass Village Shuttle provides free public transportation throughout Snowmass Village to Town Park. Routes and pick-up locations can be found here.

If you are staying outside of Snowmass Village, RFTA provides free public transportation from Aspen and the Brush Creek Intercept Lot to Town Park Station. Free parking is available at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot. Routes and schedules can be found here.

If you are staying outside of Snowmass Village, RFTA provides free public transportation from Aspen and the Brush Creek Intercept Lot to Base Village. Free parking is available at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot and Rodeo Lot, with free shuttles to Base Village. Routes and schedules can be found here.

If you are driving, free parking is available in the Base Village Parking Garage. If you park in the garage, take the elevator up to Base Village.

*Due to COVID-19 there will NOT be volunteer positions this year*