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How To Learn Rock-Climbing And Ice-Climbing

Here at the Alpine Club we welcome everyone as a member, regardless of experience or ability level, but we don't offer activities specifically aimed at beginners. If you've never tried rock- or ice-climbing before, we strongly suggest that you start with a lesson from an experienced professional instructor.

Most indoor climbing gyms (see our directory) offer a beginner's introductory package, typically costing around $30 to $50, including equipment rental, instruction and an unlimited evening's climbing once the lesson is over. This is a relatively inexpensive way of deciding whether you enjoy the sport, and everything takes place in a very safe, controlled environment. Indoor gyms are also a convenient way of developing your physical conditioning. However, the safety techniques that you'll learn in a gym are only a small part of what you need to know in order to climb outdoors.

If you want to learn to climb outdoors, a number of climbing schools (see below for a list) offer beginners' courses. These typically include two full days of climbing at an outdoor crag - usually Rattlesnake Point near Milton, this being the only location near Toronto where conservation authorities allow guided climbing and instructional groups. Courses normally cost around $90 to $160. Most of these courses are offered during the spring and fall.
Many indoor gyms also offer outdoor climbing lessons.

Once you've completed an introductory course, most gyms and climbing schools will be happy to sign you up for a variety of follow-up courses covering such techniques as setting up your own protection system, belaying a lead climber, and leading your own climbs on bolts or on natural protection. Before you sign up for such courses, however, you will probably want to spend some time practising and consolidating the techniques you've already learnt.

Many schools that offer outdoor rock-climbing lessons also teach ice-climbing. You don't necessarily have to know anything about rock-climbing in order to learn ice-climbing, but in practice most ice-climbers learn rock-climbing first. The ice-climbing season in Southern Ontario is quite short, and most courses take place from late January to early March. The favourite venue is the area around Huntsville and Muskoka.


Climbing Schools in Southern Ontario

This list does not imply endorsement by the Alpine Club of Canada, and we cannot be responsible for any loss or damages you may suffer as a result of services provided by these organizations. Before you sign up with any guiding service or climbing school you should ask about their instructors' credentials, and you should make sure that they have adequate liability insurance.

  • Adventure Upwards, P.O. Box 3269, Meaford, Ontario, N4L 1A5, Phone 519-538-1923, Toll Free 866-832-2554
  • Adventureworks! Associates, Inc., 34 Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 63012, Dundas, Ontario, L9H 4H0, phone 905-304-5683, fax 905-304-0386, e-mail info@adventureworks.org
  • Curtis Outdoor Adventure Consultants, 240 Scarlett Road, #1412, Toronto, Ontario M6N 4X4,
  • Equinox Adventures, 5334 Yonge Street, #609, Willowdale, Ontario M2N 6M2, phone 416-222-2223
  • Escarpment Outdoor Adventures, 11 Scotch Street, Erin, Ontario, N0B 1T0, phone 519-833-0417 or 416-276-0417
    Escarpment Outdoor Adventures is owned, operated, and staffed by climbers. EOA's personable and professional guides offer indoor and outdoor climbing programs for the complete beginner or the experieced climber looking to further thier skills.
  • Hibbert Climbing Enterprises, 29 Fairlin Drive, Toronto, Ontario M9B 4J1, phone 416-233-3668
  • Muskoka Outfitters, 40 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L 1S1, phone 705-646-0492, e-mail mail@muskokaoutfitters.com
    Ice Climbing Courses available every Sunday from January to Mid-March. Low instructor to client ratio.
  • North of Superior Climbing Company, Montreal River Harbour, Ontario, P0S 1H0, phone 705-882-1032, e-mail info@northofsuperiorclimbing.com
    Specialists in Ice Climbing, Rock and Ice Route Development, and guidebook authoring. Also, check out www.climbingcentral.com.
  • ONE AXE Pursuits, 27 Tiffany Street West, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 1X9 phone 519-836-8628, toll free 1-877-7-ONE-AXE, e-mail info@oneaxepursuits.com
    ONE AXE Pursuits is an outdoor rock climbing company that caters to clientele in Toronto and surrounding area. They offer beginner and intermediate climbing courses, even MOUNTAINEERING! Corporate team building is also available.
  • Smart Outdoor Adventures, 1543 Bayview Ave, Suite 351, Toronto, Ontario, M4G 3B5, 416-904-5371, toll-free 1-866-904-5371.
  • Vector On Rope Inc., 653 Greenwood Drive, Burlington, Ontario, L7T 3P2, call toll free 1 866 VECTOR3, e-mail staff@vectoronrope.com
    Vector On Rope is a climbing company in Southern Ontario, offering innovative climbing programs available including indoor, outdoor and ice climbing, rescue, rigging and adventure racing.
  • Waypoint Outdoor Adventures Inc., phone (647) 295-1621, e-mail jeff@waypointadventures.com
    Full service guiding company specializing in rock climbing, rope rescue, canoeing and adventure race team building. 5:1 Guide to student ratio.