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For several years now, I’ve been involved in the ballooning world, sharing the daily lives of pilots who are deeply passionate about their profession. For them, flying a hot-air balloon is not just a job, it’s a way of life. Flying as often as possible, feeling the wind, reading the landscape, discovering Haute-Savoie and the Annecy region from the sky. Each time we take off, we feel the same joy and adrenalin, as we did on our first flight.
A passion handed down from generation to generation
The majority of our balloon pilots are sons or daughters of pilots. At Montgolfières du Mont-Blanc, our passion for hot-air ballooning has been passed down from generation to generation, often since childhood. This world of ballooning, still unknown to the general public, is almost like a hidden universe. You don’t learn at school that you can become a hot-air balloon pilot, let alone make it a profession in its own right.
Flight after flight, our pilots make thousands of passengers dream. Above all, ballooning is about sharing the sky, adventure and emotion. With each flight, a bond is created between the pilot and his passengers, for a moment suspended above the Haute-Savoie and Annecy regions. To better understand what drives us every day, you can also discover our founding pillars.
A demanding profession at the service of your safety
Behind the poetry of Flight lies a very concrete reality. The life of a hot-air balloon pilot involves waking up in the middle of the night, staying up late, working days dictated by the weather, and constant vigilance. Schedules change, fatigue can set in, and preparing for a flight requires rigor and anticipation.
Our pilots are trained, licensed and regularly assessed. Before each flight, they analyze the weather conditions, choose the most suitable take-off area and make all the necessary decisions to guarantee passenger safety and comfort. In flight, they remain attentive to wind, terrain and landing options. Their experience and calm are at the heart of your peace of mind. To find out more about the structure behind them, please visit the Montgolfières du Mont-Blanc company page.
Despite the thousands of questions they’ve already heard, our pilots always take the time to answer them with a smile. Whether it’s a question of technique, weather, choice of flying region or their route. Passion is their driving force: if it were to disappear, they wouldn’t belong in a gondola.
Hot-air balloon pilots anchored in Haute-Savoie
Mont Blanc hot-air balloon pilots are intimately familiar with the regions in which they fly. The Annecy region, Lake Geneva, the Green Valley, the Alps, the Chablais or the Jura massif. Each flight zone corresponds to a particular interpretation of the landscape. It’s this in-depth knowledge of the territory that enables us to offer varied flights adapted to the conditions of the day.
During a flight, you’ll discover not only the magic of hot-air ballooning, but also a professional’s view of the Haute-Savoie and Annecy region. Pilots are happy to share anecdotes and explanations of the landforms and villages they fly over, as well as tips for extending the experience on the ground. To put faces to these stories, please visit our team page.
Passion is our guiding principle. At Montgolfières du Mont-Blanc, we are first and foremost a team of people with a passion for ballooning, eager to share this passion all year round through hot-air balloon flights in the Haute-Savoie and Annecy regions.
FAQ – Our balloon pilots
Montgolfières du Mont-Blanc pilots are licensed professionals, often from pilots’ families, with several years’ experience in ballooning. They are based in Haute-Savoie and supervised by a company specializing in balloon flights. To find out more about our team, please visit our team page.
Becoming a hot-air balloon pilot requires specific training, dozens of flight hours, theoretical and practical exams, and a license issued by the relevant authorities. It’s a demanding path that requires time, rigor and a real passion for aviation and the weather.
Yes, safety is at the heart of their profession. Our pilots undergo initial and ongoing training, adhere to strict procedures and analyze weather conditions every day before deciding on a flight. They are also trained in emergency procedures and the choice of suitable landing zones, in line with the requirements of the Montgolfières du Mont-Blanc company.
Yes, our pilots love to share their passion. You can ask them questions about how the balloon works, how they fly, the weather or the landscapes they fly over. They’ll be happy to answer them, as far as the flight situation allows.
Our pilots fly in several regions of Switzerland, including Lake Annecy, Lake Geneva, the Vallée Verte, the Alps, the Jura and the Chablais. To find out more, please visit our page dedicated to our flying regions.