Zell am See-Kaprun is a hotspot for alpine fans in summer and winter. The Austrian region is also a popular meeting place among balloonists. From 04 to 12 February 2023, the seventh edition of the BALLONALPS took place here. At Austria’s international balloon week, around 20 hot air balloons from seven countries took off, 8 of which even managed to cross the Alps. And there were other highlights.
Mag. Renate Ecker, tourism director of the region Zell am See-Kaprun, is happy about the great success: "Our landscape between glacier, mountain and lake combined with the colorful balloons is something very special. The balloonalps were again very popular and all tickets were sold. I am very happy about that!"
The passenger tours in the ballons were also very well attended this year, all the seats were fully booked. Starting from the airport Zell am See, the passengers went high up on 3-hour alpine balloon flights or 1-hour downhill flights. The participants were able to enjoy magnificent views of the alpine panorama from the air balloon at an altitude of up to 4,000 meters. The traditional balloonist baptism with certificate and title of nobility was the perfect finish at the end of each flight. There were also challenges: During the daily long-distance and cross-country flights, the participants could compete with each other.
A total of 8 balloons managed this year to cross the Alps, where they landed after about three hours of flying in front of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. A crossing of the Alps in a balloon is only possible about 4 to 7 times in one winter season, depending on a very special weather situation. The journey then passes the impressive glaciers Großglockner and Großvenediger, the Zillertal Alps and the Dolomites all the way down to the plain of the Po River.
On February 8, the "Night of the Balloons" finally took place again at the station of the cityXpress in Zell am See, Austria. Glowing balloons transformed the night into a colorful sea of lights. Against the backdrop of this perfect staging (s. cover image), professionals from the ski and snowboard schools from Zell am See-Kaprun showed their skills.
Cover image: Night of the Balloons 2023, Zell am See / Austria (Copyrights: Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism)
Related topics:
BALLOONALPS 2023, outdoor event, balloon event, balloon festival, night of the balloons, balloon competition, challenge, crossing the Alps in a balloon, Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria
This article was translated from the original (German) version at eventmasterbook.de. (Please excuse any errors.)
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