The iconic Snowmass Balloon Festival returns for its 49th year! The long-standing Rocky Mountain tradition features three days of 30+ festive balloons launching into the air from 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. amidst the sunrise and the stunning background of Snowmass in the fall. On Friday evening, join us back in Snowmass Town Park for a night glow, where balloons glow against the backdrop of a Snowmass sunset.

Looking for the best place to view the festival? We recommend heading to the launch field at the Snowmass Town Park! This location allows spectators an up-close view as the pilots prepare and launch their balloons. Please note, no dogs are allowed on the launch field. For the best hiking and biking trails to view the Balloon Festival, check out this article.

After you’ve seen the balloons in all their beauty, stroll the Snowmass Mall or Base Village to enjoy breakfast or brunch.

To volunteer for the event, click here.

Ideas: What To Do After The Morning Launches

• Grab breakfast at any of the following:

  • The Crêpe Shack by Mawa’s Kitchen

  • Limelight Lounge

  • Big Hoss

  • Jüs Snowmass

  • Fuel

  • First Chair

• Elk Camp Gondola, Snowmass Bike Park, and Lost Forest (10:00am-5:00pm)

• The Collective Daily Activities + Game Lounge & Selfie Den FREE (2:00pm-8:00pm)

• Ice Age Passport Walk

• Hike to view fall foliage

• Grab lunch at one of many options around Snowmass

• Listen to live music on the Snowmass Mall Friday afternoon from 4:30-6:30pm

• Head to The Collective to enjoy a bite to and and a drink at Mawita, plus lawn games on The Rink, while DJ Romy Ancona plays a set on Sunday from 3pm-7pm

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 Town Park Station (Rodeo Lot), with free Snowmass 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.