40 years of no balloons in Anchorage

For the first time since the late 1980s, a hot air balloon is floating over Anchorage again.

The balloon made its debut during Fur Rendezvous, lifting riders above the Delaney Park Strip with wide views of downtown and the festival below.

Hot air balloons used to be a regular sight around Anchorage back in the late 70s and early 80s. But as the city grew and insurance rules tightened, balloon rides slowly disappeared from the skyline.

Now a local aviation tour company has brought the experience back by adding a balloon to its flightseeing fleet. The same company already runs helicopter tours across Southcentral Alaska, flying visitors to glaciers, mountains, and remote landing spots.

The balloon offers something totally different. Instead of a fast helicopter flight, riders drift slowly above Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains with the whole city spread out below.

For a lot of Anchorage locals, it’s the first time in decades seeing balloons back in the sky.