We’ve all seen hot air balloons illustrated on birthday cards. Small, colorful, symbolic. But few people know that, far beyond paper, those very same balloons fill skies all over the world. Hot air balloons fly every day in different corners of the planet, carrying real people into real experiences. And today, we want to show you that this paper illustration has far more to do with real life than you might imagine.

This will be the first article in a series we’ll be publishing regularly, showing you where you can enjoy the wonderful experience of flying in a hot air balloon.

And hey—if some people collect Funko figures, coins, or trading cards… why not collect ballooning experiences and write your own journey around the world?😉

A WINTER FESTIVAL: THE BEGINNING OF AN ADVENTURE

Manfred, our second pilot at Globos Boreal, is from Austria. And in his home country, between January and February, something truly spectacular takes place: the Winter Balloon Festival. It is held in several Alpine valleys—Mauterndorf, Gosau, Filzmoos, Toblach, and Kaiserwinkel—and is jointly organized by local municipalities and hot air balloon companies.

Winter is the ideal season for this type of flight: the air is stable, there are no strong thermal currents, and weather conditions allow balloons to reach great altitudes safely. The result? Snow-covered mountains and balloons bringing the sky to life.

ACROSS EUROPE BY ROAD: SEVEN FRIENDS, ONE VAN, ONE DESTINATION

So, what does all this have to do with us? Seven friends, one van, 24 hours on the road, two countries crossed, and a single destination marked the beginning of this adventure towards the Austrian Alps… This is how a journey was born—one that is now part of the story of Globos Boreal.

We decided to travel by road. It was the most cost-effective option and, without a doubt, the most adventurous one.
We set off on January 5th, 2024, at 3 a.m., spirits high and curiosity running wild.

We took turns driving, stopped for coffee, food, and rest… making the most of every kilometer of scenery. The French highways seemed endless, but each stop brought us a little closer to our destination.

After 19 hours of travel, we reached Germany and stopped for the night. The outbound journey was a rush of excitement… we’ll save the return trip for another day.

OUR DESTINATION: AUSTRIA

We left Germany behind and, after five more hours on the road, we were finally there!

We rented a beautiful house with views of completely snow-covered mountains. Everyone to their own room and straight to rest—the important part would begin the next day.

In the morning, the pilots’ briefing took place, where safety procedures, altitude limitations, weather conditions, and the festival’s flight planning were reviewed.

FLYING OVER THE AUSTRIAN ALPS: A TRUE GEM

During the festival, four flights took place. But two of them were truly special.
The first: a journey of over two hours across the Austrian Alps. Snow-covered mountains, a sea of clouds beneath our feet, and complete silence. Flying with friends in such a setting is, without a doubt, one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had.

We reached over 4,000 meters in altitude. From a certain height, for safety reasons, the crew uses oxygen bottles. Even if no symptoms are felt, the pilot uses oxygen to maintain full concentration and optimal safety. From that flight, we brought back memories… and photographs that speak for themselves.

The second major flight was scheduled to take off from the Mauntendorf airfield and land across the border in Italy; however, it had to be canceled due to weather conditions.
But Manfred, ever the gracious host, didn’t want the trip to feel incomplete. So we moved to Feldkirchen, where the weather was more favorable. From there, we crossed Lake Wörthersee and landed in St. Jakob im Rosental, very close to the Slovenian border. Another unexpected route. Another unforgettable memory.

WANT TO LIVE THIS EXPERIENCE?

If you’re in Austria and want to experience a hot air balloon flight, our recommended company is A–Z Balloonfahrten Kindermann-Schön, which offers everything from scenic rides over regions like Styria, Upper Austria, or Salzburg to pilot training, balloon maintenance, and personalized special events.

The best flights in this region take place during the colder months, from December to mid-March, when conditions are more stable and safe. It’s a season that turns the Austrian landscapes into a magical spectacle from above. Planning ahead and adapting to weather conditions ensures that every ballooning experience is safe, comfortable, and unforgettable.

So, if you dream of an adventure like this, now you know where to start. And if you’d rather have your first balloon experience in Spain… Segovia and Globos Boreal are waiting for you.