Climbing

An Active Living Centre member scales the climbing wall.

UM Climbing

Watch our video on the benefits of climbing

On this page

 

Wall features

The Active Living Centre features 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 over 800 square feet of climbing surface, a 12'x12' adjustable angle Kilter Board and other training equipment.

With a variety of routes being consistently updated 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.

Back to top

Getting started

  • First visit

    On your first visit to our facility, you'll complete a short climbing orientation during open climb hours. This orientation will cover basic wall rules and risk management and provide instructions on proper usage of 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.

    If you're an experienced climber you can pay for and complete a quick belay test (top-rope or lead) after your orientation session. Belay devices available for use at no extra cost.

    Please call the customer service desk at 204-474-6100 to book an orientation session.

    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, a parent or guardian must actively assist the child with connecting to the auto-belay systems and ensuring 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 (belay test required).

Climbing fees

  • Passes

    4-month climbing pass$260
    4-month climbing pass (includes equipment)$285
    10-visit pass$150
    Drop-in (includes equipment)$21

    10-visit pass expires one year from the date of purchase.

  • Tests

    Belay test$5.50

  • Rentals

    Equipment rental (harness and shoes)$6.50

Purchase a pass

Back to top

Wall Bookings

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

Climbing parties (youth)

$200.00

  • Includes one hour of supervised climb time, games and challenges the climbing wall for 15 guests
  • Instruction and supervision from trained climbing experts
  • One hour in our party room for food and presents

Please provide two weeks’ notice for booking. Parties are currently available every Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions or would like more information on wall bookings and availability, please email the Climbing Coordinator.

View available times and request your next party. Once you've requested a time, we will follow up with more details.

 

Climbing Waiver

Standard wall booking

$200.00

  • One hour on the climbing wall with access to auto belays and bouldering section
  • Climbing orientation, basic instruction and necessary equipment
  • One hour in a private room for food and refreshments

Please email the Climbing Coordinator, for more information on wall bookings and availability.

Climbing courses

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.

Must be 15 years of age or older to participate in climbing programs. Youth programs are offered through Mini U.

  • Beginner

    Top Rope Belaying

    Learn the top rope climbing fundamentals like basic climbing knots, belay techniques, use of equipment and communication to help you to climb safely.

  • Intermediate

    Sport climbing

    In two three-hour sessions you will learn how to properly operate the sport climbing equipment, belay a lead climber effectively and fall safely while lead climbing. 

    You must first complete the Fundamentals of top rope belaying or have equivalent experience with top rope belaying in a gym setting. 

  • Advanced

    Outdoor anchor building workshop

    Learn from experienced outdoor instructors who will introduce participants to the principles of anchor construction, anchor cleaning and the materials needed for outdoor climbing. 

    You must first complete the intro to sport climbing course or have equivalent experience with sport climbing in a gym setting. 

  •  

    Outdoor multi pitch climbing and rappelling

    The multi-pitch climbing workshop introduces participants to the skills required to climb bolted routes of two or more pitches, covering anchoring in a multi-pitch context, belaying from above, making multi-stage rappels and more. 

    You must first complete the intro to outdoor climbing skills workshop or have equivalent experience in a gym setting. 

Back to top

Climbing community

  • U of Them

    The climbing wall, specifically the bouldering room, continues to create a welcoming space for the 2SLBTQ2+ community. In 2023 Jocelyn Plouffe, Noelle Wood and Katrina Wilcox, created the U of Them climbing group with a goal of creating an inviting space for women and non-binary people to try out bouldering

    Learn more about the group here!

    Join them every Monday at the bouldering room between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

     

    Contact

  • Two climbers on the ALC climbing wall

  • Climbing club

    The climbing club a non-instructional group of climbing fans practicing  bouldering with opportunities for sessions on the ALC climbing wall.

    Please contact the club president for more information.

    The climbing club is one of many rec clubs offered on our campuses.

    Location
    Brown Gym, Frank Kennedy Centre

    Contact

    Email Social

     

    Back to top

UM Recreation Services mobile app

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

Download for Apple  Download for Android