Up in the sky, over the snow it’s Winthrop Washington’s Hot Air Balloon Roundup.
COVID UPDATE: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, we may or may not be allowed to welcome visitors onto the launch site. Fortunately, the balloons are launched from our valley floor and the balloons will be viewable from any part of the Methow Valley. The wind usually takes the balloons south so we recommend finding a safe, public site the view the balloons from Highway 20 or East County Road toward Twisp.
March 5-7, 2021
The skies over Winthrop brighten with the brilliant colors of over a dozen hot air balloons. This 3-day Balloon Roundup is a photographer’s dream. An incredible visual display as the balloons fly over the old western town of Winthrop and with the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades.
While many balloon festivals are held in the summertime, the Winthrop Balloon Roundup allows visitors to experience the Methow Valley’s world-class winter recreational pursuits of Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and sledding. Winthrop has activities for the whole family as well as large variety of food and lodging options.
Friday, March 5
Hot air balloons will inflate and launch
7:00 a.m. behind the Winthrop Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960 Highway 20 ). The balloons begin inflating at 7:00am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators are free and are welcome to come to the launch site for photos.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
Saturday, March 6
Balloon inflation and launching
7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Inn. The balloons begin inflating at 7:00am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators are free and are welcome to come to the launch site for photos.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
Sunday, March 7
The final Roundup
7:30 am at the Winthrop Inn: Balloon inflation and launching. The balloons begin inflating at 7:45 am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators are free and are welcome to come to the launch site for photos.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
You can find lots of fun things to do while you’re in town:
***All events are weather permitting. Each morning at 6:45am the balloons will make the decision to fly or not based on current weather conditions. These weather conditions cannot be predicted in advance. Winthrop has its own micro-climate being at the base of the Cascades and often the current weather is much better than predicted.
Event is subject to state pandemic guidelines.
No pets allowed at the launch site please***
Sponsors of this event include:
GLASSWORKS OF WINTHROP, THREE FINGERED JACKS, RIVER’S EDGE RESORT, RIVER RUN INN & CABINS, the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce.
