We’re that bucket list type of product. It’s a privilege to be a part of so many people’s memories.
Every morning, Rainbow Ryders hot air balloons take to the sky before the sun comes up. Since 1984, the Albuquerque, N.M.-based small business has been taking people on breathtaking journeys through the Southwestern sky in an estimated 1,700 to 1,800 flights per year. In addition to balloon rides, Rainbow Ryders offer their services for advertising, corporate marketing, special events, and more.
We’re that bucket list type of product. It’s a privilege to be a part of so many people’s memories.
In 1984, Scott Appelman was hot air ballooning recreationally when he decided to turn his passion into a career, starting his business with only himself and one two-passenger balloon. He started out small, offering rides to tourists, locals, and for special occasions, and over time the business grew to become the premier hot air balloon company in the Southwestern United States. He now has 60 employees, including his wife and daughters.
For Appelman, working with brands has been crucial to his company’s success and afforded him some of his most memorable experiences. One client, Dos Equis, flew over the Super Bowl and through Big Sky Montana ski area mountains for World of Adventure and was dubbed the “Ambassador of Adventure.” For the brands that he works with, it’s a way to “create hype in more of a unique way, as opposed to plastering their name on a billboard.”
Despite these big milestones in his career, Appelman’s favorite moments are with the individuals who forge their own memories on his balloon rides. He has seen engagements, weddings, anniversaries, family reunions, and more. “That’s a privilege, to be part of somebody’s life that way,” says Appelman. “Our whole team takes a lot of pride in being a part of those moments.”
Appelman hopes that his business will continue to grow, and expand to some new cities, offering more people the chance to create lifelong memories. “People want that experience, and that’s why this business works.”
Photos by Shaul Schwarz