Places to Climb in Vancouver

The first step in learning rock climbing in Vancouver is enrolling in rock climbing lessons. Since the wilderness around Vancouver is rich in rock climbing opportunities, it's only natural that you can find excellent climbing schools and instructors in the area.

Most rock climbing beginners will start learning the sport by taking a top-climbing lesson at an indoor gym. This is the safest and easiest way to learn about the techniques, gear, and safety of the sport.

Cliffhanger Climbing is an excellent choice for your first climb in Vancouver. It's centrally located and offers a full range of climbing classes. Beside the typical two-hour Intro to Climbing class, Cliffhanger also offers more in-depth instruction, including a six-week technique course, a leadership course, and special technique sessions with only one or two students per instructor. When you take a course at Cliffhanger, you receive free climbing passes for the rest of the week. This makes practicing what you've learned in class convenient and economical.

Another benefit of Cliffhanger is that bouldering is also offered. Beginning climbers will love this opportunity to explore another type of rock climbing. If you are uncomfortable with heights, the low, ropeless bouldering walls are a great choice.

The Edge Climbing Center is another good choice for a climbing class in Vancouver. Their five-week climbing course takes place after the gym has closed and offers a quiet, calm environment in which to learn and practice climbing. It is a lot easier to concentrate on your movements in a quiet, crowd-free gym! Also, the after-hours timing of the class is great for working adults.

Indoor climbing can be every bit as challenging as outdoor rock climbing. Don't make the mistake of thinking you will get bored with it! Gyms reconfigure their climbing walls with varying frequency, providing members with new climbing routes and challenges for all levels of ability.

Outdoor rock climbing has the advantage of scenery and a feeling of authenticity. If you find you can't concentrate in the gym, or you simply prefer to climb outdoors, you can still benefit from climbing lessons. Squamish Rock Guides offers on-site private and small group lessons, a short drive north of Vancouver.

Once you have practiced in the gym and gained the confidence and skills necessary to climb safely outdoors, you'll find plenty of rock climbing destinations in Vancouver.

The Vancouver area's most famous climbing destination is the Stawamus Chief. Located near the town of Squamish, the Chief is the world's second largest granite monolith. Climbers will enjoy trying their hand the various routes that have been set out on the Chief. Experts will want to conquer the biggest challenge: the 500m sheer rock face of the Chief's Grand Wall. There are over 50 routes up the Wall and no lack of challenges here. Beginning climbers can practice their techniques by bouldering at the base of the Chief.

You can also find great outdoor climbing within city limits. Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver features about 12 interesting climbing routes and beautiful ocean views.

Before you head out to climb, be sure that your destination is appropriate for your climbing level. Rock climbing routes are graded for difficulty based upon the slope of ascent, availability of resting points, and quantity and quality of handholds. Your climbing instructor can help you determine your level, based upon your performance on the graded routes at your gym's climbing walls.

Joining a climbing club like the BC Climbing Club is another great way to find places to climb and climbing partners. Remember, always put safety first when climbing. Go with a partner or a group, always use safety gear, and choose routes appropriate to your abilities as you learn rock climbing in Vancouver.

Be sure to check out our other rock climbing articles:
Climbing Basics
Benefits of Rock Climbing

Or learn about other sports in Vancouver:
Choosing a Tennis Club
Choosing a Sailing School
Places to Snowboard

Sports in Vancouver