Arosa Balloon Week 2027

From 3 to 8 January 2027, pilots gather in Arosa for the International Alpine Balloon Week, and the sky above the village fills with colour. On clear mornings the balloons rise from the valley floor and drift towards the Prättigau, a slow procession against the winter peaks. It is one of the quieter spectacles of the Arosa season, and one of the easiest to enjoy: you simply look up.

The event

The week is run by the Ballonclub Arosa, whose pilots have flown these mountains for years. Teams gather between 09:00 and 09:30 at the launch site by the lake at Obersee, or at the Isblaatere near Maran, and inflate the envelopes before lift-off. Because ballooning depends on calm air, the schedule follows the weather and the wind, so a still, cold morning is ideal and it is worth asking locally the evening before to check whether the flights are going ahead.

Once the balloons are aloft they are visible across much of the village, so you do not need a ticket or a special vantage point. For the launch itself, walk down to the Obersee, where the teams lay out the balloons on the snow and fire the burners; the light at that hour, low and clear over the lake, is the reason photographers return year after year. Later in the week there is usually a night glow, when the tethered balloons are lit from within after dark and pulse against the black sky.

Practical information

When: 3 to 8 January 2027, with teams gathering 09:00 to 09:30 each morning, weather and wind permitting
Where: launch sites at the Obersee (by the lake) and the Isblaatere near Maran; balloons visible across the village once aloft
Organiser: Ballonclub Arosa
Night glow: tethered balloons lit after dark on one evening during the week
Getting there: the Obersee launch site is a short walk from the hotel; dress in warm layers with proper winter footwear for the snow

Plan your stay

Altein, a Faern Collection Resort, sits between the two Arosa lakes, a short walk from the Obersee launch site and from the village centre. After a morning outside in the cold, thaw out in the spa with its indoor pool, saunas and steam room, then refuel in the restaurants and bars without needing to travel. The 225 kilometres of pistes at Arosa Lenzerheide stay open through January, so the ballooning fits neatly around a few days on the slopes. Come and watch the balloons rise with us in Arosa.