More than 20 pilots and over 100 hot air balloons have made their way to the Swiss Alps to take part in the annual Festival International de Ballons.
The event takes place in the picturesque town of Château-d’Oex in the canton of Vaud in the west of Switzerland. The area is not too far outside of the city of Lausanne. The 2018 event will be the 40th edition of the festival and organisers will be keen to make sure it is one to remember. The alpine temperatures of the town make it an ideal location for hot air balloons to take flight.
Château-d’Oex’s hot air balloon festival is a nine-day celebration of ballooning and starts tomorrow, January 27. To ensure that the event is appealing to everyone, Wednesday, January 31 will be dedicated to younger visitors, as it will be children’s day. Balloon and helicopter rides will be available to attendees, as well as tethered flights during both weekends of the festival.
Next Friday, February 2, there will be the annual night glow, where the balloons will feature in a light show complemented by music and a dazzling firework finale. Members of the Swiss Ski School and a number of paraglider pilots will help to make this a highlight of the event.
Many people enjoy watching hot air balloons take to the skies from afar. However, an increasing number are taking their interest to the next level and are booking their own hot air balloon rides in Bristol, Bath and all over the UK.
