The Balloon Festival Weekend Guide

2024 Snowmass Balloon Festival     

The iconic Snowmass Balloon Festival returns to Snowmass Village, Colorado for its 49^th year, September 13-15, 2024. Whether you’re coming for one day or all three, we have you covered on the best spots to take in the sights and sounds of the morning balloon launches from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Plus, see what’s going on in Snowmass Village while you’re here!

After you’ve seen the balloons in all their beauty, explore the Snowmass Mall or Base Village:

• Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. – Elk Camp Gondola, Lost Forest, and Snowmass Bike Park
• Friday, 3:30 p.m. – Ice Age Explorer Tour at the Limelight Snowmass
• Friday, 7:30 p.m. – Snowmass Live Comedy Series Presents Kira Soltanovich
• Friday-Sunday, 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. – Game Lounge and Selfie Den open at The Collective
• Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – ACES Naturalist-guided Hikes
• Sunday, 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. – Drag Queen Bingo Brunch at The Collective

Hungry? Check out Snowmass restaurants open for breakfast and brunch service:

• Stark’s Alpine Grill: 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
• Fuel Cafe: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• The Crepe Shack: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday
• Daly Diner: 7:00 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Jüs Cafe Snowmass: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Gorsuch Ski Cafe: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• The Tavern Kitchen and Bar: Open 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for brunch

Up Close and Personal:

Get a front-row seat to watch the stars of the weekend as they load up, inflate, and take flight. Parking is available at Town Park Station and the Rodeo Lot. The launch field – located next to Black Saddle at the Snowmass Club – will be open to the public for up-close viewing of the launch on Saturday and Sunday. At the launch field, you can find music and food trucks with breakfast and coffee options. Please keep in mind that no dogs are allowed at the launch field.

Hike & Bike:

Here are a few of the places you can hike and bike for the best views of this year’s Snowmass Balloon Festival! All parking in Snowmass Village lots and at the Brush Creek Park and Ride is free.

The Brush Creek Bike Path/Trail winds along Brush Creek Road and Sky Mountain Park up to the Rodeo Lot to view the balloons.

From the Rodeo Lot or Tom Blake Trailhead, explore Sky Mountain Park for a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails. We recommend Viewline for prime balloon viewing! Please remember to share the trail as Sky Mountain Park is open to mountain bikers and hikers, and the uphill has the right of way. 

For a more mellow walk and view of the balloons at lift off, head to Owl Creek Trail, Cathy Robinson Playground, and the Snowmass Golf Course loop. The Owl Creek Trail connects with the Brush Creek Trail to circumnavigate the Snowmass Club Golf Course. These trails provide a paved 3-mile loop sure to keep you in the middle of all the action.

Class 1 E-bikes are permitted on paved Snowmass trails like the Brush Creek Bike Path and available to rent from Snowmass Sports and Four Mountain Sports on the Snowmass Village Mall!

BIKING BONUS – Buttermilk Parking Lot

Mountain bikers: head back to Sky Mountain via Airline Trail for a ride that ascends the park alongside the balloons and the sunrise! Park at Buttermilk and follow Owl Creek Road along the back of Aspen Airport to meet up with the trail, you will have to turn off the paved sidewalk so keep your eyes peeled for the trailhead!