Programs

Climbers at the Wilson Climbing Centre at the University of Alberta

FALL YOUTH PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS: tue, AUG 6, 2024

FALL ADULT PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS: mon, AUG 19, 2024


Our programs cater to people of all climbing abilities, from beginner to advanced level athletes.

We are driven by a passion for climbing and a commitment to promoting the benefits of climbing as a lifestyle. Our Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Certified Climbing Gym Instructors are experts in everything from basic bouldering to highwall belaying and lead climbing.


Programs registration fees include:

    • Facility access (Wilson Climbing Centre, changerooms),
    • Equipment rentals (Shoes, harnesses, belay devices, chalk),
    • Regular scheduled classes for each course,
    • Certified instruction

For special events, the registration may also include:

    • Food and/or beverages
    • Distinctive event prizes

Beginner
Whether you have a budding interest in climbing or are simply looking for a fun physical activity, our beginner programs offer a safe and engaging environment to explore and grow. In our beginner classes, we will focus on building a solid athletic foundation that can be applied beyond the climbing wall. We will instill concepts of agility, balance, and coordination. Moreover, climbers will learn the essentials of climbing such as tying knots, basic climbing techniques, and belaying under the careful supervision  of certified instructors. These introductory courses will place a large emphasis on creating a creative and inclusive community. 

Frequency: 1x per week

Age Groups: 6Y - 9Y, 10Y - 13Y. 14Y - 17Y
Intermediate
The intermediate courses are designed for climbers who have mastered the basics and are ready to take on greater challenges. The three main areas of focus for the climbers will be agility, balance, and coordination. These courses are intended for climbers who may not be interested in competing in competitions but still wish to further refine their skills or for climbers who are looking to train for the advanced courses. 


Frequency: 3x per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Age Groups: 10Y -12Y, 13Y - 15Y, 16Y - 18Y
Advanced
The advanced courses are designed to support and train climbers to strive for excellence in competitive climbing. Climbers will refine skills to maximize efficiency and performance. They will delve into mental strategies to help tackle the pressures and challenges associated with competitions. These courses are designed for athletes who are interested in competing. 


Frequency: 3x per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm, 9:30am - 11:30am on Saturday

Age Groups: 10Y -12Y, 13Y - 15Y, 16Y - 18Y
Learn to Boulder

This class is designed to de-mystify the bouldering experience for new climbers. Participants will learn basic bouldering rules, climbing techniques, warm ups, and cool-downs. An instructor will provide key demonstrations, workshop boulders in our bouldering lounge, and offer direct climbing feedback.


Frequency: 1x per week (1 week)
Section 1: Fridays, 6:30 - 7:30PM
Section 2: Sundays, 2:15 - 3:15PM

Learn to Top Rope

A starting point for those eager to elevate their climbing. This class is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of top rope in our high wall loft. We will cover everything you will need to know to safely ascend our top rope walls. This includes rope handling, belaying, climbing techniques, and safety checks.

Frequency: 1x per week (1 week)
Section 1: Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Section 2: Sundays, 12:00 - 2:00PM

Vintage Climbing | Beginner

This course is designed to help novice climbers fifty years or older seeking an engaging way to improve physical fitness, and climbing development. Each session is structured to gradually increase your comfort on the wall and expand your climbing proficiency with a mix of warm-up exercises, instruction on technique, and ample climbing time. This course will balance technical instruction with practical application, allowing participants ample opportunities to learn, practice, and develop individualized climbing skills.

NOTE: Registration is reserved for patrons aged fifty plus

Frequency: 1x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Tuesdays, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Section 2: Thursdays, 10:00AM - 12:00PM

Women's Climbing | Beginner

This course is designed to help novice women climbers seeking an engaging way to improve physical fitness, and climbing development. Each session is structured to gradually increase your comfort on the wall and expand your climbing proficiency.Instructors will balance technical instruction with practical application, allowing participants ample opportunities to learn, practice, and develop individualized climbing skills. 

NOTE: Registration is reserved for marginalized genders including women, women-identifying individuals, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women climbers.

Frequency: 2x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM

Training for Top Rope

Designed to help top rope climbers seeking an engaging way to improve physical fitness and climbing development. These classes cater to both novices and seasoned top rope climbers alike. We seek to balance technical instruction with practical application, allowing participants ample opportunities to learn, practice, and develop individualized climbing skills. Each session is structured to gradually increase your comfort on the highwall and expand your top-rope climbing proficiency with a mix of warm-up exercises, instruction on technique, and ample climbing time. 


NOTE: Registration is reserved for patrons possessing a valid TOP ROPE CHECK (<12 months) at the Wilson Climbing Centre. Belay instruction/checks will not be administered at any time during the course.


Frequency: 1x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Section 2: Mondays, 7:00 - 9:00AM

Training for Lead

Designed to help lead climbers seeking an engaging way to improve physical fitness and climbing development. These classes cater to both novices and seasoned lead climbers alike. We seek to balance technical instruction with practical application, allowing participants ample opportunities to learn, practice, and develop individualized climbing skills. Each session is structured to gradually increase your comfort on the highwall and expand your lead climbing proficiency with a mix of warm-up exercises, instruction on technique, and ample climbing time.

NOTE: Registration is reserved for patrons possesing a valid LEAD CHECK (<12 months) at the Wilson Climbing Centre. Belay instruction/checks will not be administered at any time during the course.

Frequency: 1x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Section 2: Wednesdays, 7:00 - 9:00AM

Climbing Conditioning

Learn how to use the fitness centre to supplement your climbing workouts and further develop whole-body tension. Start incorporating  off-the-wall strength and power workouts, opposition exercises, injury prevention movements, mobility drills, warm-up, and cool down routines into your greater climbing training plan. This course includes off-the-wall exercises to target climbing specific musculature, as well as improve overall body tension and strength through wide ranges of motion. 

Frequency: 1x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Mondays, 5:00 - 6:15PM
Section 2: Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:15PM

Women's Climbing | Advanced

This course is designed specifically for women who are already excelling in the vertical realm. Refine your technique and boost your performance by tackling some of our most challenging boulder problems and lead routes with our in-house team coach. Explore advanced techniques such as complex dynamic movement, precise footwork, energy conservation and efficiency, strength training, and more. We will also touch on creating a personalized training plan and help set meaningful individual goals.

NOTE: Registration is reserved for marginalized genders including women, women-identifying individuals, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women climbers; registrants must posses a valid TOP ROPE CHECK (<12 months) at the Wilson Climbing Centre

Frequency: 2x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM

Vintage Climbing | Advanced

This course is designed specifically for climbers aged 50+ who are already excelling in the vertical realm. Refine your technique and boost your performance by tackling some of our most challenging boulder problems and lead routes with our in-house team coach.

NOTE: Registration is reserved for patrons aged 50+ who posses a valid TOP ROPE CHECK (<12 months) at the Wilson Climbing Centre.

Frequency: 1x per week (6 weeks)
Section 1: Tuesdays, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Section 2: Thursdays, 10:00AM - 12:00PM

High Performance Climbing

Designed specifically for those who are already excelling in the vertical realm, this bi-weekly program takes your climbing beyond the ordinary. Refine your technique and boost your performance by tackling some of our most challenging boulder problems and lead routes with our in-house team coach. Explore advanced techniques such as complex dynamic movement, precise footwork, energy conservation and efficiency, strength training, and more. We will also touch on creating your own personalized training plan and help you set meaningful goals. 

NOTE: Registration is reserved for patrons possessing a valid LEAD CHECK (<12 months) at the Wilson Climbing Centre AND the ability to send routes of >5.11 grade (YDS); belay instruction/checks will not be administered at any time during the course. 
Frequency: 2X per week (6 weeks)

Section 1: Mondays and Wedesdays, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Section 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00AM

Wilson Climbing Centre Climbing bouldering area

Private Lesson & Group Bookings

Need a venue for your group event or private booking? Are you looking for Private Lessons?


Facility InfoBooking Info

 

Fall 2024 Recreation Guide promo image

The Recreation Guide

Browse the guide and register online. Youth programs open for registration on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Adult programs open for registration on Monday, August 19, 2024.


Browse the guide Register Online

Climbing Contact

Wilson Climbing Centre, Van Vliet Complex
8707 Ave and 114 Street, University of Alberta

Campus Map

P: 780.492.2767
E: climbing@ualberta.ca