Climbing

Enjoy our bouldering wall and 35-foot climbing wall with varying difficulty levels with seven ropes and four auto-belays. Climbing is an excellent way to challenge yourself mentally, get a full-body workout and develop flexibility. For additional information, please contact our climbing coordinator at mario.ferreira@umanitoba.ca.

An Active Living Centre member scales the climbing wall.

Watch our video on the benefits of climbing

On this page

Climbing orientation

All first-time climbing participants must go through a climbing orientation a the beginning of their timeslot.

  • The climbing orientation includes:

    • General orientation for basic climbing facility rules and safety
    • Instruction on how to properly use the auto-belay systems
    • Introduction to basic climbing terminology and technique
    • Access to the climbing wall after the Orientation Session

    Already know how to belay? After attending the climbing orientation, you can complete a quick belay test ($5) with the climbing wall supervisor to get started.

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Climbing fees

You can pay climbing fees at the Active Living Centre customer service desk or online for 10-visit passes.

  • Recreation Services members receive a discount on passes. All passes are available for purchase at the Active Living Centre customer service desk.

    • Drop-in fee: $25 per day / Member price: $20
    • Youth drop-in fee: $20 per day (includes harness and shoe rental)
    • 10-visit pass: $180  / Member price: $150
    • Harness and shoe rental: $6

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Booking a climb time

Current 10-Pass holders:

We are excited to see you back. Please visit our online registration tool to book your climb time. Watch this tutorial to learn how to book your time.

You will be required to sign a climbing waiver at checkout. Once the waiver is submitted and payment received, we will activate your online signup access. We will send an access confirmation email within two business days, or if you want to book a time right away, you may call Customer Service during business hours at 204-474-6100.

Book now

New visitors:

Welcome to Recreation Services! Please note that before you book your climb time:

 

All climbers:

- Bookings are offered in 2-hour blocks on a first-come, first-served basis.

- Time slots can be booked no more than two days in advance and open at 7 a.m.

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Our commitment to safety

The health and safety of our climbing participants and staff is our top priority.

Please note the following to a safe visit for everyone:

  • Please stay home if you are feeling unwell. Before entering the facility, staff and participants must use the self-screening tool. Members and staff are not allowed entry if they present with COVID-19 symptoms. 
     
  • Mandatory mask use. The wearing of 3-ply disposable or reusable masks is now mandatory on UM campuses even when physical distancing is possible and must be worn at all times, even while being actively engaged in strenuous exercise.
     
  • Limited capacity. As per Public Health guidelines, we will be limiting occupancy to  25 percent of the Active Living Centre’s capacity.  
     
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting. Time has been allocated between each block for thorough facility cleaning and sanitization using hospital-grade products. Also, members are asked to clean equipment before and after each use.
     
  • Signage. Signage highlighting expectations to ensure everyone complies with our safety protocols will be located throughout the facilities. 

Changes to services

  • Only essential items will be allowed in the climbing area, and you must store your gear in the designated cubbies.
     
  • Use of powdered chalk will not be allowed; however, liquid chalk will be permissible due to its alcohol content.
     
  • Vertical wall markings have been added to the wall to ensure climbers stay in their climbing zone.
     
  • Equipment that is difficult to clean (e.g. harnesses/gloves) will not be shared. Participants will be encouraged to bring their own equipment.
     
  • Rental equipment required will be provided to participants by staff and sprayed and disinfected after each use. Staff will rotate all rental equipment to reduce the frequency of each piece being used.
     

If you are not quite ready to come back for in-person workouts, we invite you to visit our Virtual Health and Fitness page for online workouts you can follow from home.

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Registered programs

  • Our registered programs include

    • Open Climb Time
    • Climbing Fundamentals 

    For programs descriptions, times and dates offered, and to register, see the UM Sport and Recreation registration portal. You must complete the participant waiver before using the wall.

  • Registered programs – available upon request

    These programs are available upon request and pricing will vary:

    • Basic Outdoor Workshop
    • Introduction to Sport Climbing
    • Outdoor Climbing Workshop - Multi-Pitch Climbing

    Please e-mail mario.ferreira@umanitoba.ca for details.

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UM Climbing Club

This non-instructional, social club at our Fort Garry campus provides you with the opportunity to share your passion for climbing with others. The club practices the art of bouldering and does not do much rope climbing. 

The club mainly meets at the Bouldering Wall in the Frank Kennedy Centre. The club has periodic access to the Climbing Wall in the Active Living Centre.

As with all UM Rec Clubs, UM students must make up 65% of the club’s membership to promote strong student participation and leadership.

  • Annual club membership fees

    Club membership is open to students, staff and alumni only. 

    • Student annual membership fee: $55
    • Staff and alumni annual membership fee: $80

    You cannot purchase a day pass to access the wall as part of the UM Climbing Club; you must pay the annual membership fee.

  • Climbing Club schedule

    Find the Climbing Club schedule on the REC Clubs Schedule and the UM Recreation Services mobile app.

    Contact the UM Climbing Club:

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Wall rental

Looking for a group training, team or birthday party activity? Our climbing wall is available for private bookings. The rental includes:

  • Access to the main wall with auto belays and a boulder section
  • Climbing orientation
  • Basic instruction
  • All necessary equipment

For private bookings and birthday parties, please e-mail mario.ferreira@umanitoba.ca.


 

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UM Recreation Services mobile app

Get up-to-date schedules and Recreation Services information at your fingertips.

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