Photo via Richmond Olympic Oval
Indoor rock climbing is a great way to get fit, push your limits, and have fun. Try it out at one of these beginner-friendly Vancouver area indoor rock climbing gyms.
Indoor Rock Climbing For Beginners
There are two types of indoor rock climbing: roped climbing and bouldering. When roped climbing, you wear a harness that is secured to a rope, then you climb tall walls. If you lose your grip, the rope stops you from falling. Bouldering takes place on shorter walls without a rope or harness. If you fall, you’ll tumble a few feet onto soft pads.
Indoor rock climbing gyms are set up to help beginners get started. They rent rock climbing shoes and harnesses. Gyms also offer orientation sessions to first-time visitors and in-depth lessons to hone your technique. If you’ve never climbed with ropes before, take a course to learn how to safely use the ropes, harness, and belay devices.
Most gyms offer both drop-in rates and memberships. To avoid overcrowding, you may need to sign up for a time slot in advance at some gyms. Check gym websites for policies.
The Hive Heights Vancouver
The Hive Heights is a large roped climbing gym in the False Creek Flats that has options for both beginners and experienced climbers.
Where: 670 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver
Photo via The Hive
The Hive Bouldering Vancouver
Operated by the same company, The Hive Bouldering is just down the street from The Hive Heights. This gym specializes in bouldering and doesn’t have any roped climbs.
Where: 520 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver
Photo via The Hive
The Aviary
The Aviary is a volunteer-run roped climbing gym at the University of British Columbia. But you don’t have to be a student to climb here: it’s open to everyone.
Where: 6133 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Photo via The Aviary
Richmond Olympic Oval
Find Metro Vancouver’s tallest climbing wall at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The 17-meter-tall wall is open for roped climbing and they also have a bouldering area. The Oval is also home to Vancouver’s only speed climbing wall.
Where: 6111 River Road, Richmond
Photo via Richmond Olympic Oval
Climb Base5 North Vancouver
Climb Base5 has called North Vancouver home for almost 30 years. They offer both roped climbing and bouldering and have lots of options for beginners.
Where: 1485 Welch Street, North Vancouver
Photo via Climb Base5
The Hive North Shore
The North Shore location of The Hive is a bouldering gym, so you’re never far off the ground. They also have a yoga studio on site.
Where: 2270 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver
Photo via The Hive
Climb Base5 Coquitlam
The Coquitlam branch of Climb Base 5 has 13-meter-tall walls for roped climbing and bouldering areas where you’ll get up to 4 meters off the ground.
Where: 98 Brigantine Drive, Coquitlam
Photo via Climb Base5
The Hive PoCo
The Hive also has a bouldering gym in Port Coquitlam. The location has lots of windows, so it’s bright inside.
Where: 815 Village Drive, Port Coquitlam
Photo via The Hive
The Hive Surrey
The Hive’s newest location is near the Patullo Bridge in Surrey. They have a large bouldering area as well as a small gym for stretching or working out.
Where: 11125 124 Street, Surrey
Photo via The Hive
Coastal Climbing Centre
Located in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, Coastal Climbing Centre has been around since 1993. They offer both roped climbing and bouldering and have a small training area.
Where: 7728 128 Street, Surrey
Photo via Coastal Climbing Centre
Project Climbing Cloverdale
Project Climbing is a huge bouldering gym in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood with lots of beginner-friendly routes.
Where: 17828 65A Avenue, Surrey
Photo via Project Climbing
The Rockwall
Maple Ridge’s The Rockwall offers both roped climbing and bouldering. The roped climbs are on the shorter side, making it a great option for beginners.
Where: 11455 201A Street, Maple Ridge
Photo via The Rockwall
