Rising With The Big Sky
July 2025
article by Brittany Schimke | photos courtesy of Big Sky Balloon Rally’s Chris Jones
“Awesome. When you see a group of balloons in the sky,
it’s so beautiful that it inspires complete awe. It’s almost impossible to take your eyes off of it,”
-Chris Jones
That one word, awesome, perfectly captures the feeling that sweeps over Billings each summer morning during the Big Sky Balloon Rally. As the sun begins to rise, the skies fill with bursts of color, soft flame, and wide-eyed wonder. The rally returns July 24–27 for its 10th anniversary, bringing with it a fleet of 25 balloons flown by pilots from across the country and even the world. But among the travelers, one balloon rises just a little closer to home: it belongs to Chris, the only active hot air balloon pilot currently based in Billings.
Chris and his wife Kylie, who also serves as the event coordinator and his dedicated crew chief, are at the heart of this event, both in the air and behind the scenes. For Chris, ballooning isn’t just a sport or a spectacle. It’s a passion that took root decades ago and now lifts both balloons and community spirits alike.
“I was introduced to a balloon rally in the late 1990s as a volunteer,” he recalls. “The experience was so unique and fun that I kept coming back.” Over time, those early mornings and sky-filled weekends ignited something deeper. Inspired by his grandfather, a pilot himself, Chris took the leap from ground crew to certified balloon pilot. “After years of meeting balloon pilots and traveling with them, I decided to pursue my license,” Chris shares. It’s a full process, just like an airplane pilot with weather training, flight hours, and exams. It took nearly two years.
Now, when you catch a lone balloon floating over the Magic City on a weekend morning, chances are, it’s Chris. He and Kylie fly as often as they can, balancing jobs with weekend flights. Most flights are for fun, others are paid rides, and they always try to involve their family.
That family-first spirit flows directly into the Big Sky Balloon Rally. What began in the 1980s with a handful of Montana pilots has evolved into the only rally of its kind in the state. It continues today thanks to dedicated volunteers, visiting pilots, and people like Chris who keep the tradition alive. Although the rally technically started 11 years ago, a pause during COVID makes this summer the official 10-year celebration. To mark the occasion, the team is introducing custom pins, posters, pilot goodies, and new attractions.
A major highlight of the weekend is the Field Festival & Evening Glow, taking place Saturday night, July 26, at Amend Park. While balloons only fly in the cool, stable air of the morning, the glow is a dazzling chance to see them light up the night. Starting at 6:00 PM, the park fills with energy as pilots return to inflate their balloons and let them stand tall, glowing from within as their burners fire. “It’s really pretty,” Chris says. All the balloons twinkle together, and it gives the crowd a chance to walk up close, talk to pilots, and take it all in. The festival atmosphere adds even more to the experience. Visitors can enjoy live music from a local band, indulge in food from 16 different trucks, and explore vendor booths and sponsor tents. Kids can get hands-on in the “Kids Corner,” while creative spirits are drawn to the “Artist Corner.” Pilots even hand out collectible trading cards and pins, making the night feel a bit like a hometown fair mixed with a glowing sky show, all free and open to the public.
The main attraction, of course, remains the morning flights. “Hot air balloons can only fly during the first few hours of daylight,” Chris explains. “After that, the sun creates heat and winds that make it unsafe.” For pilots, the day begins early with 4:00 AM weather checks and a 5:45 AM briefing at Amend Park. Spectators are encouraged to arrive around 6:15 AM with coffee and a jacket in hand to watch the balloons inflate and rise into the sky.
Though balloons don’t technically steer, pilots learn how to “work the wind” by finding different air currents at various altitudes. Many people don’t realize the amount of preparation, training, and physical awareness that goes into a flight. Each pilots does mental and physical check-in every time.
And the reward? “The smiling faces in the community. The kids, the pictures, the joy. That’s what keeps us going.” The sky may be big, but for Chris and Kylie, it’s also deeply personal. Their family’s ballooning story is stitched into every panel and powered by every flame. This July, the rest of us are lucky enough to float along for the ride.
“Flying my family over the Billings skies is so rewarding
Montana is known as Big Sky Country for a reason,
and there’s no view better than from the sky.”
-Chris Jones
Originally printed in the July 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine
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