If you’re anything like me, a gym enthusiast who gets an adrenaline kick with heights but hates the ruthless Canadian winters, you’ll probably love bouldering. It’s really just like climbing, but indoors – and with padded floors!
It gives you that same rewarding feeling you get when you climb kitchen cabinets to reach the last cookie back when you were kids. That is, of course, if you find a bouldering gym that matches your current skills.
So, for today’s list, I’ve compiled some of the city’s best bouldering venues that are ideal for various skill levels. See my insights and other info to find one that suits your needs!
Table of Contents
CCC Rocky Mountain
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Website: https://calgaryclimbing.com/
Address: 10721 West Valley Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5T2, Canada
Contact Details: +1 587-231-9116
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Great for: Intermediate and Advanced climbers
For expert climbers, CCC Rocky Mountain is just the right place. Their tallest wall is 65 feet tall with challenging slopes, making it a great place to build endurance and upper body strength.
For the less experienced, they have shorter speed walls that offer a bit of a challenge for grip strengths. On the other hand, their climbing park is just right for absolute beginners or those who just want to try climbing for fun.
If it’s more authentic boulder climbing you’re looking for, CCC also has outdoor climbing. Climbers of any level can take on this option, as they have training services to get you going in just one day.
CCC Hanger
— Media credit: calgaryclimbing
Website: https://www.calgaryclimbing.com/locations/hanger/
Address: 588 Aero Dr NE #106, Calgary, AB T2E 7Y4, Canada
Contact Details: +1 587-230-0189
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Great for: Kids, Beginners, and Intermediate climbers
CCC Hanger is another Calgary Climbing Center facility offering climbing walls that are short but difficult. Their climbing walls (with a height of 40 feet from the ground) are angled, offering a tougher grip challenge.
What’s nice about this place, though, is that they also have a separate climbing wall for children. It offers the same angled feature but is obviously more tailored to their needs and capabilities.
And if you’re a beginner with zero gear in your closet, don’t worry. They have a full retail store that offers every piece of equipment you’ll need. They also have changing rooms, lockers, and showers, so you can easily change after your workout.
Boulder Climbing Community
— Media credit: bolderclimbing
Website: https://bolderclimbing.com/bolder-climbing-community/
Address: 5508 1 St SE #5, Calgary, AB T2H 2W9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 403-255-9565
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Great for: All skill levels
Boulder Climbing Community is the best pick for both advanced and easy bouldering.
Their walls cater to climbers of all ages, ensuring younger participants can enjoy climbing without the need to adapt to adult-specific walls. They also provide youth camps and climbing clinics to train and develop younger climbers.
For pure beginners with no equipment, you can rent gear from their facility. Trainers are also available for hire if you want to learn the basics of climbing and some tips to conquer difficult walls.
University of Calgary Outdoor Center
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Website: https://outdoor-centre.ucalgary.ca
Address: 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary Alberta T2N 1N4, CANADA
Contact Details: +1 403-220-5038
Operating Hours: Monday and Sunday – 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Great for: Beginners and Intermediate climbers
If you find indoor climbing facilities less fun or challenging, then the University of Calgary Outdoor Center is your best bet. They have realistic outdoor climbing walls designed to mimic a real mountain’s features.
They also allow for different climbing styles, including top rope, lead, and even grouped climbing. Each style offers different difficulties, with some not even supported by ropes. But don’t worry; all walls have padded landings in case you fall.
Climbing classes are also available for pure beginners to familiarize them with the basics. For added safety measures, they examine all users to make sure they’re physically fit and able to climb.
Boulder Climbing Elevated
— Media credit: bolderclimbing
Website: https://bolderclimbing.com/bolder-elevated-calgary/
Address: 12686 48 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0B1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 403-930-3533
Operating Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 6:00 AM: 11:00 PM | Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9:00 AM: 11:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM: 11:00 PM
Great for: Beginners and Intermediate climbers
If you’re climbing alone, Boulder Climbing Elevated offers auto-belay climbing that’ll fit you just right. This means you can conquer their walls without a belay partner, making it easier to lower yourself to the ground after completing the challenge,
Other climbing challenges include their famous lead climbing and 10-meter speed walls.
Their boulder climbing doesn’t require you to have a rope tied. Instead, they have padded ground for safety. But of course, if you need equipment, they also have a rental facility for climbing shoes and other related equipment.
Besides climbing, they also offer top rope courses. Top rope is much easier and better suited for beginners than lead climbing since ropes are already anchored and set up instead of having to set it up as you ascend.
CCC Chinook
— Media credit: calgaryclimbing
Website: https://www.calgaryclimbing.com/locations/chinook/
Address: 7130 Fisher Rd SE Unit 6, Calgary, AB T2H 0W3, Canada
Contact Details: +1 403-252-6778
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Great for: All skill levels
CCC Chinook caters to climbers of all skill levels, offering hundreds of challenges designed for everyone.
Their climbing facility is housed in a massive 160-foot building. This extensive space provides climbers with a vast playground to test their skills and push their limits comfortably and safely.
One of the standout features of CCC Chinook is that it has three auto belays, which make climbing alone easier and safer. These auto belays cover a variety of terrains, allowing solo climbers to experience different types of climbs without the need for a partner.
CCC Socal Bouldering
— Media credit: soominclimbing
Website: https://www.calgaryclimbing.com/locations/socal-south-calgary/
Address: 75 Shawville Link SE, Calgary, AB T2Y 3Z9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 587-603-6200
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Great for: All skill levels
CCC Socal Bouldering is ideal for climbers aged seven and up, with 100 boulder problems that include steep overhangs, vertical ascents, and tricky slab routes. This extensive variety ensures climbers of all skill levels can find something to try.
The gym enhances its appeal by introducing new challenges every week, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. This regular rotation of problems ensures climbers never get bored whenever they drop by.
Additionally, CCC Socal Bouldering features specialized articulated walls such as a Kilter, Tension, and Spray wall. These walls provide unique climbing experiences, offering a dynamic and varied environment that makes the experience more realistic.
Magic Lab Climbing
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Website: https://magiclabclimbing.com
Address: 3513 78th Ave SE, Bay E, Calgary, AB T2C 1J7, Canada
Contact Details: (403) 453 – 7515
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Great for: Intermediate and Advanced Climbers
Magic Labs Climbing offers a variety of climbing wall types to suit different needs and preferences. Their Rope Walls are designed for structures over 15 feet high and require ropes for safety – suitable for those just starting climbing.
Their walls,16 feet high, use thicker padding instead of ropes for safety, allowing for a wide range of creative and engaging boulder problems. This is ideal for climbers who love dynamic and varied challenges.
Magic Labs Climbing also offers School Walls explicitly designed for school groups and younger climbers. These walls require supervision and can be locked for safety when unsupervised.
