Rainbow Ryders, Inc. is the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983, with daily flights year round in Albuquerque, Phoenix, and seasonal flights in Colorado Springs. Our pilots have flown more than 50,000 hours, and served more than 750,000 passengers. All our pilots are FAA certified and have nearly 500 years of combined experience!

Pilot expertise and commitment to safety are two important reasons why Rainbow Ryders has been the official hot air balloon ride provider for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® since 1999.

Our founder and president Scott Appelman was the originator and organizer of the Fiesta’s Balloon Glow from 1987 – 1992, an event that is one of the most popular today.

He also organized the event’s Special Shapes Rodeo and Albuquerque Aloft and won the Heritage Award from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as well as the Tourism Hall of Fame award from the Tourism Association of America.