Programs
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:
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- 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:
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- Food and/or beverages
- Distinctive event prizes
Frequency: 1x per week
Age Groups: 6Y - 9Y, 10Y - 13Y. 14Y - 17Y
Frequency: 3x per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Age Groups: 10Y -12Y, 13Y - 15Y, 16Y - 18Y
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Private Lesson & Group Bookings
Need a venue for your group event or private booking? Are you looking for Private Lessons?
The Recreation Guide
Browse the guide and register online. All winter programs open for registration on Monday, November 18, 2025.
Climbing Contact
Wilson Climbing Centre, Van Vliet Complex
8707 Ave and 114 Street, University of Alberta
P: 780.492.2767
E: climbing@ualberta.ca