Balloon Fest cancellations

Starting to plan a first trip to the Fest in 2009, and note there were some flight cancellations this year.

How unusual is this ?

How long is it best to plan to stay to be sure of seeing flights ?

Ramblesider

Balloon Fest cancellations

Many years cancellations of events happen, just depends on the weather. It is so hard to predict. We don%26#39;t know day to day if we will be going to Albuquerque for the balloons.

I wish I could have more info. But this fiesta is totally based on weather, which none of us can predict accurately.

Balloon Fest cancellations

Mother Nature always has her way during the nine days of the Balloon Fiesta. This year was especially disappointing, with three out of five of the very popular Mass Ascensions being ';blown-out'; by winds. (The winds are always the critical factor...not for launching so much, but rather for safe landings, which can often occur in crowded residential areas). All of the morning ascensions begin at sunrise, (approx. 7:10AM) when winds are ';normally'; at their lightest for the day.

After 25 years of balloon fiestas, my advice to anyone coming in, is to plan at least four days for the early morning, and evening balloon activities. (Late morning through late afternoon may be used to explore many other things to see, and do in Albuquerque). That way you%26#39;ll almost certainly get to view ';some'; of this great festival.

My other recommendation is to get your reservations in as early as possible for both accomodations, and especially rental cars. Hotels nearest the fiesta park fill up the fastest of course. The automobiles are essential, because any visit to Albuquerque should also include visits to Santa Fe (60 miles), and Taos / Taos Pueblo (130 miles).

I am from Calif but have been attending the Balloon Fiesta for over 30 years.

Note that the Balloon Glow is during the first weekend. Its worth seeing but many times has been cancelled. The Special Shapes Rodeo is on Thursday and Friday. If you love the special shapes, like I do, don%26#39;t miss attending this event on either day. I highly recommend you go down to the field to get a close up view fo the balloons. Don%26#39;t forget to bring a camera. If you are staying in town, look into taking the shuttle to the balloon fiesta field, its the way to go. The shuttles leave from the local mall parking lot. Recommend you pre - purchase your shuttle tickets. Its much easier than sitting in traffic to park near the field and then having to walk to the field. Also don%26#39;t forget to visit the Balloon Fiesta museum. Plus its very cold in the morning and many years has warmed up nicely in the later morning, so wear layers.

As for the cancellations, no one can predict the winds or weather. Its just a chance you take.

Plus there are lots of things to do in Albuquerque in addition to the fiesta. Don%26#39;t miss Old Town, the Indian Pueblo Center,the Tram to the top of the Sandias and the Petroglyph state park.

Thanks to Irispam for many very useful points - from the timing of the Special Shapes (which are my favourite too, and I had overlooked this), the shuttle, and things to do in the long gap between dawn and dusk flying.

In a tight schedule we can%26#39;t really spare more than two full days here (plus the chance of catching dusk flights on day of arrival and dawn flights the day we leave) and hope I%26#39;m not relying too much on fair weather ?

Can I check flying conditions a day or two before ?

I would be really sad to come so far and miss the flying, BUT staying longer means missing something else equally important to us.

Ramblesider

We spent a week in Albuquerque for this years fest (our first one), and only got to see one ascension (special shapes) and no glow, also, or balloon flight was canceled.

The one ascension was, on its own, enough to make the entire trip worthwhile (in addition to the other listed Albuquerque activities). I met several people who took the weekend to come out and didn%26#39;t see any balloon-related events due to the weather. None of them was thrilled at that outcome, so be careful.

Once there, I also highly recommend an evening at Vernon%26#39;s steakhouse - a little pricey, but it was the best Steak Au Poivre I have ever had!

I%26#39;ve read all these comments and others in related threads and negative reviews of balloon ride operators and wish to offer some perspective and food for thought.

Cancellations are done strictly for the sake of spectator, flight personnel, ABQ resident, etc.. SAFETY.

Deaths, injuries, personal property and utility equipment damage occurs almost every year because of accidents and what I perceive is too much risk taking by operators trying not to disappoint visitors and those who have purchased rides pressuring operators to ignore weather conditions so their rides can go forward.

Tim is absolutely correct! On the only ascension we did get to see, that was the one where a balloon was caught in wind and taken into powerlines - causing an operator to die.

As I said in my earlier post, watching one ascension was definitely worth the trip - but if you spend a couple days and see nothing, it could be quite a disappointment. And - having seen a few people who went two days and never got to see a balloon in flight, I would make sure that you plan out two full days of alternative activities just in case, and be hopeful, but aware that you may not get to see the ballons in such a short time.

Tim! Dude, sometimes your name is so appropriate.

Ramblesider, it%26#39;s a crap shoot. There%26#39;s no way to tell what the weather will be in time to change plane or hotel reservations. The longer you stay, the better your chances of seeing a balloon event. It%26#39;s that simple.

I once planned a romantic 30th birthday balloon flight for my husband on what should%26#39;ve been a gorgeous June day. But it was windy and we didn%26#39;t fly. It happens.

Remember people, risk is subjective. If you don%26#39;t want to risk a difficult landing, keep your feet on the ground!

If you don%26#39;t want to risk being disappointed by weather, plan a combination of indoor and outdoor activities.

If you are a balloon operator and you don%26#39;t have the cajones to keep your balloon on the ground when you need to, you need to reconsider your occupation.

Accidents happen. The balloonist who died last year was experienced and knew the risks. It was his choice to fly that day and no one else%26#39;s. Pilots fly at their own discretion regardless of the daily mass ascension decision.

I can certainly understand your feelings about traveling so far, only to miss out on festivities. It%26#39;s happened to me also. I would only recommend you use one of our U.S. weather websites (I like Accuweather.com) to check the upcoming weather before arrival. Accuweather.com has a ';five day forecast,'; plus, a link from there to ';Further

Details,'; which will give the expected winds each day...even to the hour I believe. Five to six MPH at a dawn%26#39;s liftoff (about 7:00am local time), are ideal.

The very rare accidents that have resulted in injuries or even deaths, are ';usually'; a result of weather surprises once airborne. I%26#39;ve attended 25 years of balloon fiestas, and know how sometimes the winds are even better than marginal, but once the balloons are aloft, the winds pick up (especially at ground level) quite quickly, and you have hundreds of balloon pilots trying to decend as quickly as possible, let alone finding a ';safe'; place to set an 80ft. balloon down.

The balloon fiesta is indeed a ';crap-shoot'; for pilots, passengers, and spectators. Safety is always the number one concern, and 99% of the time those precautions pay off. It%26#39;s those 1% accidents we hate to see happen. If you only have two days, try for the first weekend, the Mass Ascension on Wednesday morning, and/or the Special Shapes activities. The ';glows'; are also something very unusual and special...not to mention the following fireworks afterwards.

Thanks for paying us a visit, and get back if you have specific questions about the Albuquerque area%26#39;s many other activities, and places of interest.