Sunrise balloon flight over Mont Blanc with champagne and fondue

How to Complete

3 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. ⛰️ 1

   Float Above Mont Blanc at Sunrise

   adventure $$$

   Take off from Europe's only altiport as the sun rises over the Alps.

   Arrive at Courchevel Altiport pre-dawn for hot air balloon takeoff as the sun rises. Flights ONLY operate in the morning due to mountain thermals. The balloon inflates as dawn breaks, and you'll float over the entire 3 Valleys, the Vanoise glaciers, and on clear days see Mont Blanc. The flight lasts 1-2 hours. Book through standard operators or premium through Six Senses. Weather cancellations are common, so book in advance.

   🔄 BACKUP: If weather cancels your balloon, helicopter tours operate in more conditions (Savoie Hélicoptères).

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 🍷 2

   Eat Fondue Floating at 3000m (Optional Splurge)

   Optional

   wine $$$$

   A chef prepares Savoyard fondue IN THE BALLOON BASKET.

   Six Senses offers a package where a chef joins you in the balloon and prepares full Savoyard fondue while you're floating at 3000m. Yes, really. Melted cheese, bread, cornichons, charcuterie—all served at altitude with the Alps below and champagne in the basket. This is the ultimate splurge version that sounds impossible until you're doing it.

   🔄 BACKUP: Standard flights include champagne toast on landing but not the mid-flight meal. Still spectacular, just less absurd.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Land with Champagne in the Snow

   wine Free

   The traditional post-flight champagne toast - you've earned it.

   After 1-2 hours floating, the pilot finds a landing spot and the basket touches down. Then comes the centuries-old ballooning tradition: champagne with the crew. The pilot will tell stories, other passengers will share the high, and you'll toast the mountains. The drive back to Courchevel will feel like returning to earth in more ways than one.

   🔄 BACKUP: Some operators serve champagne on landing, others on return to base. Either way, bubbles happen.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  Morning only - thermals make afternoon flights impossible in mountains

• ✦

  Dress VERY warm - it's freezing at sunrise even in the balloon

• ✦

  Book the fondue-in-basket option for the ultimate splurge

• ✦

  Champagne toast on landing is traditional and included