By : Tom & Dianna Lee

The 22nd Annual Chateau d'Oex Balloon Week was held this past January 22-30th in a small mountain village in Switzerland. A two-hour train ride from Geneva transported us to this wonderful little village at the base of the Swiss Alps for a weeklong balloon celebration. Michelin, who showed up in full force with 3 conventional shapes and two enormous 170 foot tall Bibendums, was a major sponsor of this year's event.

There were more than 80 balloons from Australia, America and most of Europe including a Kookaburra, VW Beetle and a Fox. But the long jump winner this year had to be the crew with the Florida license plates on their chase vehicles. The weeklong competition consisted of multiple targets placed strategically around the village, but the greatest challenge was being able to work the mountain winds so that we could land back in the launch field.

The small village of Chateau d'Oex lies in an open valley with an average elevation of 3000 feet and an exceptional microclimate that creates prime-flying conditions year round. Steerage was incredible each day as the morning winds blew southwest down the valley. Then as the sun rose above the mountain peaks the winds would change 180 degrees and take us right back up the valley.

We managed to get in a flight the first day just before the snow began that evening, then we sat back and watched Mother Nature blanket the entire valley in 15 inches of snow over the next two days. Watching the many multi-colored balloons drift above the pristine snow covered fields was quite a site to behold. Fortunately the 15-30 degree temperatures kept the snow very dry and crunchy and everyone's envelopes clean and dry.

The launch area was about the size of three football fields with a nicely groomed covering of snow. Sleds were used to move the equipment from the vehicle unloading area to different parts of the launch field. Flights were monitored by race officials with mandatory check-in before and after each flight. A rescue helicopter was dispatched if a pilot did not check in after the flight was complete.

The Breitling Orbiter replica was accompanied by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard on the opening day, while a brass band played and hang gliders and skydivers were dropped from balloons above. Children's Day was a major hit with the residents of Chateau d'Oex as tether rides were given to the little ones, and intricate scale models of local balloons were flown by remote control.

With the launch field within walking distance of the hotel, it was quite easy to stroll down to watch the balloons lifting off all day long. Thermal activity was practically nonexistent, allowing for a 7-8 hour launch window each day. Unfortunately, the two-hour multilingual pilot's briefings slowed down the morning activities a bit.

The grand finale of the event was a balloon glow that stretched across the entire village. Music played, spotlights shown and fireworks went off all while the balloons put on a brilliant show for everyone. The local residents certainly put on an incredible event and made the pilots feel very welcome. All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing balloon vacation that we would encourage anyone to experience if given the opportunity.