Arosa Balloon Week 2027

From 4 to 8 January 2027, up to ten pilots gather for the International Alpine Balloon Week, and the sky above Arosa fills with colour. On clear mornings the balloons rise from the valley floor and drift over the village 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. A still, cold morning is ideal, so it is worth asking locally the evening before to check whether the flights are going ahead.

Where to watch

The balloons are visible across much of the village once they are aloft, 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.

Plan your stay

Hotel Altein 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, the wellness area with its indoor pool, saunas and steam room is a welcome place to thaw. The 225 kilometres of pistes at Arosa Lenzerheide are open through January, so the ballooning fits neatly around a few days on the slopes. To plan the rest of your time here, browse our events and packages in Arosa.

Practical information

Dates: 4 to 8 January 2027
Organiser: Ballonclub Arosa
Launch times: teams gather 09:00 to 09:30, weather and wind permitting
Launch sites: Obersee (by the lake) or the Isblaatere near Maran
Night glow: tethered balloons lit after dark, one evening during the week

January mornings are cold and often below freezing at the launch site, so dress in warm layers and bring proper winter footwear for the snow. Hotel Altein is a Faern Collection Resort in the heart of car-free Arosa. Come and stay with us for the week and watch the balloons rise over the mountains.