Hot Air Balloon Ride Adventure Package!

Enjoy your stay at Sodus Point Lodge and Sodus Shores while anticipating your great adventure of sailing in a hot air ballon! After your contintenal breakfast at the lodge, our Limo service takes you to the launch site in Canandaigua. The balloons accommodate two to four passengers giving you the best view of the beauty of the Finger Lakes below.

Fun information about hot-air balloons

What makes a hot-air balloon float?What makes a helium balloon float?
(Both are lighter than air)

When was the first hot-air balloon built?
(1783 in France)

How high can balloons go?
(All the way to 24,000' or higher, but typical flights range from treetop height to 3-4000')

How do you steer a hot air balloon?
(You can't, really. Since the balloon goes where the wind goes, the pilot can only "steer" by finding different wind currents at different altitudes)

Are hot-air balloons safe?
(Any flight involves some risk. Balloons are a safe form of flight, and the low rate of ballooning accidents prove this. Many FAA regulations are in place to increase safety, and a responsible pilot exercising good judgment and following the regulations will rarely encounter a situation that cannot be managed safely)

What weather conditions are best for hot-air balloon flight?
(Calm surface winds, no precipitation and clear skies are ideal)

Where are the best places to fly hot-air balloons?
(Away from city congestion and powerlines, away from large bodies of water, and near open spaces for landing sites)

How far does a balloon fly?
(It depends on the speed of the wind. 5-10 miles per hour of flight is about average. Higher winds can often be found at higher altitudes, enabling the pilot to fly further)

How much does a balloon cost?
(Typical prices are in the $10-30,000 range. Used balloons can be less, special shapes considerably more, some well over $100.000)

A balloon flight can be a beautiful adventure. But why can't balloons be used for daily transportation?
Possible answers include wind direction changes, weather, speed of flight, cost of flight, safety concerns such as launch and landing spots, powerlines, legalities, social impact and public reaction, times of day that balloons fly, size and weight of balloon, etc.

Please contact the Sodus Point lodge for all details and packages at 315-553-2056 or email us at soduspointlodge@rochester.rr.com