About Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides
Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides has been carrying passengers over the Vermont landscape since 2002, offering sunrise and sunset flights that showcase the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and the pastoral valleys of northern Vermont from a thousand feet up. The operation launches from the Essex Resort and Spa, about forty minutes from Stowe, and flies over terrain that includes the Stowe valley, Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and the Champlain Islands depending on wind conditions.
Each flight lasts approximately one hour and includes a pre-flight safety briefing, the chance to watch the balloon inflate and assist with setup, and a post-flight champagne celebration — a tradition rooted in the earliest days of ballooning. The pilot is FAA-licensed and provides running commentary on the geography, history, and wildlife below. Flights accommodate small groups, making each outing feel private. They fly year-round when weather permits, with autumn foliage flights being especially popular as Vermont's maple and birch forests turn orange, red, and gold.
Above Reality has been recognised by Frommer's as one of the world's ten best hot air balloon adventures, and they carry over 200 five-star Google reviews. The operation is a favourite add-on for couples celebrating anniversaries, proposals, or simply looking for something unforgettable beyond the usual ski-and-hike itinerary. For Stowe visitors, the drive to Essex is an easy morning trip that makes for a spectacular start to any Vermont day.
