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Hot Air Balloon Specialists since 1994
Big Sky Balloon Co is the premier balloon ride operator in Central Oregon. We've been ballooning professionals since 1994 and have safely flown many thousands of passengers while maintaining a perfect safety record.
Big Sky Balloon Co was established in 1994 in the Flathead Valley of Montana. It was there that Darren began his ballooning journey that continues to this day in the colorful skies of Central Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest. After earning his commercial Lighter Than Air Certification, Darren started flying passengers on scenic flights near Glacier National Park and began building a corporate balloon program that now extends through out the Pacific Northwest.
In 1999 Darren was the first balloon pilot to fly over Glacier National Park and the Continental Divide, a feat that has not been repeated since. After moving his base of operations to Oregon in 2000, he's made adventure flights over the Cascade Mountains and flown extensively through out the Pacific Northwest as a corporate pilot while logging nearly 3,000 hours of flight time and maintaining a perfect safety record. Darren has also accumulated more than 20 years worth of experience flying balloons in the dynamic and beautiful skies over Central Oregon. No other balloon pilot comes close to the number of flight hours and years Darren has spent flying in this area.
If a very high level of experience, competency, and expertise are important to you, then Darren is THE GUY you want to go with.
Big Sky Balloon Co brings 30 years of experience to the highly specialized field of commercial balloon operations and it is with great pride that we can offer flights in such a high quality environment as Central Oregon.
Outside of ballooning Darren is also an artist and is into lots of other active outdoor sports and adventures including raising two boys.
Our Crew Chief, Garrett has been with BSBC for more than five years and in that time has become a trusted and reliable member of the team. No matter where we end up, Garrett will find us and deliver us safely back to our launch site. Everyone enjoys his cheerful and outgoing personality that always adds that special touch to the experience.
Garrett will soon begin training towards his balloon pilot rating and we’re looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes in this unique world of hot air ballooning.
Garrett enjoys many of the outdoor activities Central Oregon offers as well as spending time with friends and family. He’s become quite the local celebrity and an awesome Traeger chef.
Your pilot, Darren
Crew Chief, Garrett