Hot-air Ballooning in Château-d'Oex, Switzerland

[shootme]

Spent Saturday in the mountains and went to my first Hot-air Balloon Festival in Château-d'Oex near Gstaad in Switzeland. It was simply amazing. They had over 280 sorties with over 80 Balloons, standard shape and animated balloons. Here are some shots, hope you enjoy.

[shootme]

Spent Saturday in the mountains and went to my first Hot-air Balloon Festival in Château-d'Oex near Gstaad in Switzeland. It was simply amazing. They had over 280 sorties with over 80 Balloons, standard shape and animated balloons. Here are some shots, hope you enjoy.

Second Set.

[shootme]

Final Set

[jetrim]

All great shots, but my favorite by far is the shot from inside the Harvey's Orange Apertif balloon, rare to see one taken from that perspective :thumbsup:

[shootme]

Thanks Jetrim, it was a great day. The owner and pilot of this balloon Mr. Richard Ashford from Great Britain allowed me to go inside as he pumped in some hot air. Yep, I was lucky, a real experience for my first time at such an event.

[starriderrick]

Great shots Peter!! Thanks for sharing. My fave' is "Take off" in the third set.Simply fantastic!!!

Rick

[shootme]

Thanks Rick, yea I thought that was pretty cool, when I saw his hand go up to test the firing mechanism and then saw on the glove "Take Off" I thought perfect.

[hminx]

Great stuff. Love the shot from inside the balloon, I bet tread lightly was order of the day here. That and the last shot are my favourites.

[shootme]

Thanks Hminx, much appreciated and yes tread lightly and walk on the seams if you want to go inside a balloon. Cheers

[Old Timer]

Gorgeous images, loved them all but I will have to admit the one from inside the balloon is just amazing. Thanks for sharing these with us.

[Frog]

I didn't know they did this in the winter.
Every shot is great and I have to agree about the one from the inside of the balloon.
The other eye catcher for me is the one with the helicopter.

[shootme]

Thanks OT, thanks Frog, yes it's one of the biggest if not bigger events in the European calendar, over 80 Balloons, both animated and standard shape. They had over 280 sorties on the Saturday and the event runs for the full week, till the following Saturday with various competitions. I guess they get good lift with the cold air. There were participants from around the world.

[w.slayman]

Great shots, my favorite is the contrast of the helo and the baloon, looks like the helo is chasing the baloon.

[shootme]

Thanks Bill, much appreciated.

[shootme]

Happy to say these photos will be featured in a local newspaper. Had several people wanting to buy copies, local tourist office, a hotel owner and an individual. I was happy to provide them all free of charge. Nice hey...

[Lori11]

Second set, last photo...whats not to love! They are all fantastic!

[shootme]

Hi Lori and thanks. Cheers, Peter

You can see them now in a news article which I also wrote (edited by the editor of course).

http://genevalunch.com/blog/2010/02/...llooning-fete/

[gahspidy]

All fantastic shots. Love the helicopter and balloon, as well as the one on the ground with all the snow and house in the background.
great set of work

[shootme]

Cheers Gary, much appreciated, thanks for having a look and leaving a comment.

[Shebang]

I've come to look several times. These are the best balloon pics I've seen! Very nice!

[shootme]

Thank Paula for your kind words.

[draymorton]

These are sensational. All of them.

#4 - "Oh, the humanity."

[shootme]

Thanks Dray, appreciate your visit. Cheers