10 Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in and Around Winnipeg That Should Be On Your Bucket List
Imagine soaring above Winnipeg without the cramped airplane seats or noisy helicopter blades—yep, that’s basically what a hot air balloon ride is.
No tiny airplane window to block your view of the gorgeous landscapes below. You’d get to see and feel everything—stunning 360-degree views from above the sky, the sun kissing your face, the breeze touching your skin—trust me, it’s an addicting feeling.
Which is why, over the years, I managed to try practically all the hot air balloon rides in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Canada. Was it worth every second? Absolutely.
So, if you’re ready to take flight, here are the most amazing hot air balloon rides in the Winnipeg area!
Balloons Aloft
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Website: https://balloonsaloft.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloonaloft/
Address: 43 Vista Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24/7 online
Contact: (204) 793-2821
For an unforgettable weekend adventure, Balloons Aloft has you covered—literally—in a giant floating basket! For $325 per person (no deposit required, yay), you could soar above the city and beyond, Up-style.
Note that launch sites may vary depending on wind direction. As for safety, the pilot will guide you through various landing situations, so pay attention!
Flights take off after sunrise or just before sunset—perfect time to catch that golden hour glow, so have your phones ready for action. Expect the full flight to last about three to four hours—from check-in to touchdown.
Once you’ve landed, a fun tradition is performed—a lovely champagne toast.
| Pro Tip: Don’t forget to dress for the ride—layers are your best friend since it could be quite chilly during early mornings or evenings. And since you might be walking on uneven ground before or after landing, we suggest leaving the fancy shoes at home. |
Sundance Balloons
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Website: https://www.sundanceballoons.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundanceballoons/
Address: 48 Crampton Drive, Belmont
Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 7 PM
Contact: (519) 473-6444
Booking a ride at Sundance Balloons is perfect if you’re looking to—ahem—elevate (nailed it!) your weekend plans. As North America’s leading balloon company, they fly over 12,000 a year across 10 Canadian cities, so you know you’re in good hands.
Prices range from $275 to $345 per person, but here’s a life hack—before booking, check out their socials first. They offer amazing deals from time to time (up to 40% off!).
Choose between a sunrise or sunset trip, and prepare for an hour of floating bliss. Upon touchdown, you all celebrate with a champagne toast—not only because you survived (I think), but because you all just had an epic experience to remember forever.
They normally offer balloon tours from May through October, but book well in advance since they fill up fast. Luckily, their online booking system is easy to use.
| Pro Tip: If you can, book your flight with Sundance Balloons in the fall. What better way to see the gorgeous autumn foliage than floating peacefully over the treetops? |
Breakaway Experiences
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Website: https://breakawayexperiences.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/BreakawayExperiences/
Address: Canada
Hours: Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: +1 800-465-4257
Breakaway Experiences is another go-to for memorable hot air balloon rides. A bonus that we really appreciate is that you get a $50 gift card for every booking to use toward future rides.
Sunrise and sunset flights are available from May through October, so plan ahead.
After the balloon inflates, you’ll climb aboard while the pilot heats the air and slowly lifts you above the treetops. From there, you get to float peacefully for an hour or so, depending on the weather conditions.
As usual, you guys will cap off the adventure with a champagne toast.
| Pro Tip: Sorry, but not all of you can fly (at least at the moment). As per Breakaway’s policy, if you’ve recently had surgery, injuries, or have back, hip, or knee issues, or a child growing inside you, it’s better to hold off on flying. |
Ontario Hot Air Balloon Rides
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Website: https://ontariohotairballoonrides.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontario_hotairballoonrides/
Address: Ontario
Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday : 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 2:30 PM
Contact: [email protected]
Ontario Hot Air Balloon Rides is a family-run business specializing in small group and private hot air rides. They even offer personalized vouchers—a perfect gift idea!
As for pricing, group rates are at $200 to $270 per person, while private flights cost $1,295 to $1,495 per couple. We love that they offer a price match guarantee, so you know you’re getting the best rate in town.
After riding in the sky for an hour, you’ll land and receive a personalized flight certificate signed by your pilot. Post it online for that perfect flex.
Make sure to wear practical clothing (imagine you’re going for a country hike), and if you can, go for natural fabrics rather than nylon. Also, wear a hat or cap to protect yourself from the heat of the burners.
| Pro Tip: Sure, sunset rides are gorgeous, but if you’re a first timer, you might want to go early. Not only is morning weather more stable (meaning, a smoother ride) but you’re more than likely to spot wildlife. |
Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
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Website: https://heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heritageinnballoonfest/
Address: Heritage Inn High River
Hours: End of September
Contact: [email protected]
If you’re really into hot air balloons (like bordering on being obsessed rather than just interested), then attend the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival in High River.
This annual, 5-day event is typically held in the last week of September.
Here’s your chance to see a hot air balloon race! Competition flights are typically held twice daily (morning and afternoon), with a single flight on Sunday—just imagine dozens of colorful hot air balloons gracing the blue sky.
Don’t miss the Balloon Glow Evening, where tethered balloons light up the night!
Passenger rides are, of course, available during the festival. These usually go on sale in early September, and slots fill up quickly, so book ahead.
| Pro Tip: For those interested in the mechanical and technical side of ballooning, make sure to attend the Intro to Hot Air Ballooning workshops during the festival. |
Skyward Balloons
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Website: https://skywardballoons.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skywardballoons/
Address: Drumbo
Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (519) 651-1833
For over 25 years, Skyward Balloons has been offering awesome floating experiences—from shared flights to romantic private charters.
Morning flights lift off 30 minutes before sunrise, while evening flights meet 2.5 hours before sunset. Each flight lasts an hour, but be prepared to set aside around 4 hours for the entire experience.
If you’re planning a special date (or even a proposal), book their aptly named Sweetheart Flight. For $1,295, you and your special someone can get a private balloon all to yourselves!
Another bonus we love is their best price guarantee—they’ll match the price of any competitor, so it’s wise to shop around before booking.
| Pro Tip: Want big savings on your ride? Hold off until their seasonal deals drop—for instance, their Valentine’s promos slashed up to $125 off per booking! |
Kiss the Sky Balloons
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Website: https://kisstheskyballoons.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisstheskyballoons/
Address: 15151, RPO ASPENWOODS, Calgary
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8 Am – 5 PM
Contact: (587) 222-0202
Kiss the Sky Balloons offers a breathtaking experience as you glide up 2,000 feet from the ground. They specialize in sunset flights, so you better believe this ride is going to be very Insta-worthy!
The whole experience is around four hours total, and expect an hour of flight above beautiful treetops. You can choose between shared flights of 10 to 12 or a private group flight for special occasions.
What’s cool is that after touchdown, you’ll celebrate with some snacks and refreshing beverages, kinda like a mini afterparty.
For early flights, launch sites could be a bit damp from the morning dew, so we recommend wearing closed shoes to avoid having icky wet toes.
| Pro Tip: If you’re flying with kids, keep in mind that there are no restrooms on board. So, if your little one can’t hold it in quite yet, maybe this activity is not for them. |
Okanagan Ballooning
– Media credit: okballooning
Website: http://okballooning.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okballooning/
Address: 848 Leon Ave, Kelowna
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours for inquiries
Contact: (250) 712-0342
What could be more scenic than Okanagan Ballooning over the stunning Okanagan Valley? No wonder this family-owned enterprise has been recognized as one of the Top 10 hot air balloon rides in North America!
For couples, we highly recommend their Private Flight for Two. Imagine sipping champagne (that you brought, it’s not included) while soaking in the panoramic views of vineyards and lakes below.
Their Standard Hot Air Balloon Flight is nothing to scoff at either. Take in Kelowna’s natural beauty with your friends, family, or even fellow solo adventurers!
Don’t forget to dress in layers. We noticed that it’s a bit cooler in the valley, especially during sunrise flights.
| Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring a fully-charged phone so that you won’t run out of juice. Trust me, those gorgeous Okanagan views deserve to be captured (and posted!). |
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
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Website: http://www.montgolfieresgatineau.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superfmg/
Address: 93 Rue de la Baie, Gatineau
Hours: Monday: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Tue – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat – Sun: 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Contact: (819) 243-2330
The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival began in 1988, and slowly grew to become one of the biggest festivals in Canada—and with good reason. Held at Parc de la Baie, it offers an unbeatable combo: hot air balloon flights and live music!
Attendees can ride balloons to their heart’s content. Early risers typically flock to the morning rides at 6 AM, and flights last from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the weather conditions.
As for music, you’ll see a mix of renowned talent and emerging local artists. Nothing like bopping to tunes while nursing an ice-cold can of craft beer, right?
During evenings, we love seeing the ‘Night Glow’—balloons light up the night in a choreographed display between evening shows. You could also visit the Beauce Carnaval Amusement Park, which has rides and games of all kinds.
| Pro Tip: If weather conditions are unfavorable at Parc de la Baie, no worries! There are alternative launch sites in the area, which include Érablière Comprehensive School, Lord Aylmer/Champagne Park Elementary School, and Gatineau Executive Airport. |
Uptuit Balloons
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Website: https://www.uptuitballoons.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/p/Uptuit-Balloons-100069441661506/
Address: Canada
Hours: Open 24 hours for bookings
Contact: [email protected]
Uptuit Balloons is owned by Hal Cooper, who represented Canada at the 2008 World Hot Air Balloon Championships in Austria (color me impressed!).
It mainly offers exclusive private flights for couples and families. Depending on the weather, you’d float 1,000 and 3,000 feet above the ground, and see the breathtaking views of Rice Lake, Northumberland County, and more.
This company also caters to corporate clients, offering tethered balloon rides and custom advertising on their large balloons.
Make sure to dress appropriately—passengers are advised to wear trousers, long sleeves, and flat shoes.
| Pro Tip: Planning to propose to your boo? Coordinate with the Uptuit team, and they’ll help make your balloon proposal one for the books—good luck! |