The 6 Best Climbing Walls in Calgary That’ll Help You Reach New Heights
Growing up, Spider-Man was always my favorite superhero. Apart from being an overall cool role model, I love the way he would swing on his web throughout New York and scale the sides of its skyscrapers.
So when I got older, it wasn’t surprising that I took on wall climbing. Sure, I don’t get to defeat bad guys like Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin. But I still get to climb just like Peter Parker would, just with more problem-solving and no superpowers.
Regardless of your reason for climbing, I’m sure any climber would love to know all the places they can test their skills. Below, I’ve listed all the spots in Calgary with the most challenging, yet gripping (see what I did there?) climbing walls.
1. Calgary Climbing Centre Chinook
– Media credit: calgaryclimbing
Address: 7190 Fisher Rd SE Unit 6
Contact details: +1 403 252 6778
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Anyone who climbs is surely already familiar with Calgary Climbing Centre. They’ve got five franchises across the city, with the Chinook location being the original.
It’s easy to see why so many people fell in love with this gym in the first place. It’s huge and spacious, with a variety of areas for different skill levels and climbing experiences.
There’s also the CCC store, which comes in very handy. It’s always stocked with climbing shoes, harnesses, chalk, and any other gear you might need.
What I really like about this spot is that it’s great for beginners. I often see first-timers taking classes and asking for suggestions on how to solve a problem from other members.
If you want to start climbing here, you can get a monthly pass or just a day pass, with prices depending on your age. They even offer a multi-gym pass that allows you to climb in any of their locations.
| Pro tip: Calgary Climbing Centre hosts a ton of fun events throughout the year, especially during holidays. For example, they get customers to dress up for Halloween and offer partner-based problems on Valentine’s Day. |
2. Bolder Climbing Community
– Media credit: bolderclimbing
Address: 5508 1st St SE
Contact details: +1 403 255 9565
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Whenever a beginner asks me how to start climbing, one of my recommendations is to learn bouldering. And for this, the Bolder Climbing Community is a stellar choice.
From the get-go, you can tell them you’re a newbie, and the staff will be happy to help. They’ll give you an orientation about the gym and its equipment.
But for something more in-depth, the gym also holds a free Bold Workshop that includes information on techniques, guides on how to fall safely, and a rundown on climbing lingo.
They have a bunch of classes for other skill levels as well. Apart from the advanced bouldering clinic, the ones that stand out are youth programs, speed training, transitioning to outdoor bouldering, and even a setter clinic.
To access any of these, you can purchase a daily, monthly, or annual pass. There are also family passes that can save a lot for households that climb together.
| Pro tip: If you think a daily pass is too short but a monthly one is too much, you can go for their 5-time or 10-time punch passes. These will allow you to drop in any time and won’t expire at all. |
3. University of Calgary Outdoor Centre
– Media credit: ucoutdoorcentre
Address: Kinesiology Building, 2500 University Dr NW
Contact details: +1 403 220 5038
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre is for those who want to take the plunge and start climbing out in nature. This gym is a chance for climbers to start practicing rappelling, leading on gear, and more.
Their climbing wall is made out of concrete and stones, replicating the feel of mountain surfaces. On top of that, it’s so tall that it’s kind of intimidating.
In fact, it’s so challenging that not everyone can go on it. You have to pass a belay test first, since climbers are mostly unsupervised here.
On the other hand, the bouldering wall is less intense. To use it, all you need is a facility wristband from the climbing office.
I know this place sounds like it’s only for the pros, but I promise people also go here to learn. As long as you have the basics down, feel free to try climbing and ask the other members for advice.
| Pro tip: The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre has some of the best rates on renting gear for outdoor sports, including climbing. All you have to do is create an account on their website and select when you’ll pick up and drop off the equipment. |
4. YMCA Calgary (Shane Homes at Rocky Ridge)
– Media credit: ymcacalgary
Address: 11300 Rocky Ridge Rd
Contact details: +1 403 351 6673
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Out of the six YMCA locations in Calgary, four of them have climbing walls, and I’ve personally tried three. I can tell you that each one offers a different experience.
Saddletowne YMCA has a ton of events for climbers of all levels, such as tournaments and workshops. There’s always a nice crowd gathered here, cheering on and encouraging other climbers.
Meanwhile, the one at Shawnessy is super popular for its wide range of advanced equipment. However, it gets so busy that reservations for the climbing wall fill up so fast.
That leaves my favorite: the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that this is the most beautiful YMCA there is. Its architecture is designed to blend in with the surrounding natural landscape.
The climbing wall here is just as impressive. It offers different degrees of difficulty, with friendly and helpful instructors always ready to spot.
| Pro tip: YMCA Calgary has some of the best programs for young climbers. They’ve even got classes for aspiring climbers as young as 4 years old! |
5. Calgary Winter Club
– Media credit: melissa_lamb_
Address: 4611 14 St NW
Contact details: +1 403 289 5511
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6:45 AM to 11:00 PM
The Calgary Winter Club may be more exclusive than other climbing gyms, but believe me when I say that it’s more than worth it to be a member.
Apart from having top-of-the-line facilities, amazing food, and fun social events, their climbing centre will make you want to stay forever. It offers a great variety of climbing routes, with individual challenges and unique features.
With several types of walls to choose from, you can bring your family along to make it even more fun. The climbing centre welcomes climbers of all levels, ages 5 and up.
What’s even better is that the club will provide all the gear and harnesses you might need. But if you’d prefer to have your own, you can also drop by the in-house sports and lifestyle store.
| Pro tip: Take advantage of the Calgary Winter Club’s physiotherapy services and get a post-sports massage. It’s sure to hit the right spot after a long climbing session. |
6. Calgary Climbing Centre Hanger
– Media credit: mrsrobinsonknits
Address: 588 Aero Dr NE #106
Contact details: +1 587 230 0189
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Although technically just another franchise of the Calgary Climbing Centre, the Hanger location gets its own entry for its Ultimate Climbpark. This is an area separate from the main climbing gym.
In a nutshell, I consider it the best way to get children interested in the hobby. It offers a unique climbing experience that prioritizes fun and adventure, with facilities like the speed wall, jump tower, freefall slide, disappearing holds, and more.
Don’t worry, though, your kids aren’t the only ones who get to be part of all the fun. Lots of parents join their little ones here to guide them on how to solve problems (and of course, to climb a bit, too). The adults always agree that it’s a total blast!
Just take note that everyone who goes here has to weigh between 40 to 265 lbs., and only children ages 4 and up can enter.
| Pro tip: If your kid loves the Ultimate Climbpark, you can book the party room for their birthday. Your kids and their friends are definitely going to love climbing walls and racing each other to the top with the help of the auto-belay machines. |