Welcome to the climbing community at UM!

An Active Living Centre member scales the climbing wall.

Watch our video on the benefits of climbing

We have two climbing walls:

  • A 35-foot tall roped-climbing wall with seven top ropes, four auto-belays, and the ability to lead climb any of our routes
     
  • A bouldering room featuring 12' high walls, a 12'x12' adjustable angle Kilter Board, and other training equipment.

Climbing is an excellent way to challenge yourself both mentally and physically, develop flexibility, and discover a fantastic community of people.

Our two climbing walls are welcoming for climbers of all difficulty levels, from those looking to try out a new activity to those wanting to train hard for their next big outdoor project.

For additional information, please contact our climbing coordinator, Mario Ferreira.

On this page

Your first visit

  • On your first visit to our facility, you will need to complete a short climbing orientation during our open climb hours. This orientation covers everything you need to know to use our climbing walls safely. Our staff member will cover basic climbing wall rules and safety and provide instructions on properly using the auto-belay systems. Orientation is automatically included in your first visit.

    For your first visit, climbing shoes and a harness are available at no additional cost.

    Already know how to belay? After your orientation, you can pay for and complete a quick belay test (top-rope or lead). Don't have a belay device with you? No worries, we have GriGri's available for use.

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Open climb time schedule

If you wish to book your climbing ahead of time, you may do so using our online tool. However, this is not required, and you can always have one of our customer service staff check you in when you arrive.

Climbing fees

All passes are available for purchase at the Active Living Center customer service desk or can be purchased online.

  • Purchase a pass

      Member
    Belay test $5
    Equipment rental (harness and shoes) $6/visit
    Drop-in rate (includes equipment) $20/visit
    10-visit pass* $130
    4-month climbing pass $240
    4-month climbing pass plus equipment $285

    *Expires one year from the date of purchase.

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Instruction and courses

We offer a variety of courses for climbers of a range of skill levels. For details about times and dates offered and to register for courses, visit the UM Sport and Recreation Registration Portal.

Note: Many of the courses can be offered upon request if there is not a scheduled time available that works for you. For more details, don't hesitate to contact the climbing coordinator, Mario Ferreira.

Fundamentals of Top Rope Belaying

Whether you are a new climber wanting to learn how to belay or need a refresher, this course will teach you how to top-rope climb safely and independently with a partner. The primary focus is on the fundamentals of top rope climbing, such as basic climbing knots, belay techniques, use of equipment, safety and communication.

Participants required: min 2; max 2

Intro to Sport Climbing

This intermediate-level climbing course will teach you everything you need to know to start sport climbing on artificial climbing walls. Consisting of two three-hour sessions, Intro to Sport Climbing will guide you through how to operate the equipment used for sport climbing properly, belay a lead climber effectively, and fall safely while lead climbing.

Participants required: min 4; max 8

Outdoor Climbing Skills Workshop

This advanced-level climbing course will cover various core outdoor climbing skills to prepare you for top rope and sports climbing in single-pitch terrain. This four-hour session in the gym introduces participants to the principles of anchor construction, anchor cleaning, and the materials used in outdoor climbing. This course, led by instructors with significant outdoor climbing experience, introduces gym climbers to the skills required to climb single-pitch routes outdoors.

Participants required: min 2; max 4

Advanced Outdoor Climbing Skills Workshop – Multipitch Climbing

Ready to take your outdoor climbing to the next level? The multi-pitch climbing workshop introduces participants to the skills required to climb bolted routes of two or more pitches. This course covers anchors in a multi-pitch context, belaying from above, making multi-stage rappels, and much more. This session is led in the gym by instructors with extensive multi-pitch climbing experience. Completion of the Outdoor Climbing Skills Workshop, or equivalent experience, is required to register for this course.

Participants required: min 2; max 4

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Climbing club

This non-instructional social club at our Fort Garry campus allows you to share your passion for climbing with others. The club is primarily bouldering-focused and does not do much rope climbing.

The club 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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Climbing community

We have one of the top climbing walls in Canada, but what makes climbing at UM the best is the people!

I started climbing just because my friend invited me to the club and I love it! Unlike other individual sports with repetitive activities, climbing is similar to problem-solving, there are new routes to try every day.
Minh Phan
I started climbing because not only it's a sport but it's also a social hub.
Lang Duy Anh Do
I stay a member of the club for the amazing community that the club creates which I could not find at other climbing gyms.
Sangeev Selvaratnam
As a method of cross-training, I started climbing to build my strength for pole dancing! I also wanted to try some pole dance moves with the holds on the bouldering wall.
Brynne Blaikie
I got addicted to the feeling of being high up on a cliffside, and also the feeling of being spiderman.
Mike Chew
Why not?
Amber Ehr

Wall rental and private bookings

Our climbing walls are available for private bookings! Rent a wall for a school group, a corporate group, or team building event.

Active Living Centre wall booking - $175.00/hour

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

Bouldering room Booking $87.50/hour

  • Access to the bouldering room and kilter board
  • Basic instruction
  • All necessary equipment

How do I book?

Please email the climbing coordinator, Mario Ferreira, for more information on wall bookings and availability.

Online booking form coming soon!

 

Book now

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Birthday parties

Make you are your child's next birthday party one to remember!

ALC wall Birthday party booking price – $175.00

  • Includes one hour of supervised climb time, games, and challenges on our 35-foot climbing wall
  • Instruction and supervision from trained climbing experts
  • One hour in our party room for food and presents

Capacity and availability

  • Maximum of 10 youth at the party
  • Please provide two weeks’ notice for booking

How do I book?

Simple! Click the button below to view available times and request your next party. Once you've requested a time, we will follow up with more details.

If you have any questions or would like more information on wall bookings and availability, please email the climbing coordinator, Mario Ferreira,

 

Request a party

Youth policy

All children under the age of 15 require direct adult supervision while accessing the climbing wall during open climb time. A parent or guardian must be at the climbing wall for the entire duration of the child's visit. For children under the age of 12, the parent or guardian must actively assist the child with connecting to the auto-belay systems and ensure the child is behaving in line with the rules and general etiquette of the climbing wall. If the child wishes to climb routes that require a top rope belay, the parent or guardian is responsible for belaying the child and must have passed a belay test to do so (top rope belay courses are available).

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UM Recreation Services mobile app

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

Download for Apple  Download for Android