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Sport Climbing Course
Learn to lead on bolts in Squamish. A one-day course on clipping, lead belaying, falling safely and cleaning sport anchors, so you can climb sport routes on your own.
- Location
- Squamish, BC
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Difficulty
- Introductory / Intermediate
- Guest Ratio
- 4 to 1
$189 per person
Book nowLearn to Lead Sport Climbs in Squamish
Our Sport Climbing Course is a one-day course in Squamish, BC that teaches you to lead single-pitch sport routes outside. With an ACMG-certified guide and no more than 4 climbers per guide, you’ll practise clipping, lead belaying, taking and catching falls, assessing bolts and cleaning anchors at the Smoke Bluffs. It costs $189, all gear is included, and 2027 dates run on Sundays and Wednesdays from May to August.
You don’t need to have led in the gym. If you can top-rope 5.8 and belay confidently, you’re ready. The strength and technique you build here carry over to every other kind of climbing, and you also get access to our online course to keep learning after your day.
New to climbing outside? Start with Intro to Rock Climbing. Ready for more? The Traditional Climbing Course is the next step.
What does this course cover?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Part of the Introductory skill set.
Our goal of the Sport Climbing course covers not only with the technical skills to safely approach a wide range of sport climbing areas and routes, but also the soft skills so participants can push their own climbing levels. Participants should leave this course ready to tackle common sport climbing areas on their own.
- Identifying Suitable Climbing Areas for Skill Level
- Assessing Anchors and Protection Bolts.
- Safe Leading + Safe Belaying
- How to Fall
- Cleaning Sport Anchors
- Rappelling + Retreating
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required
Is this course for me?
Previous experience top-rope climbing and/or indoor lead climbing will serve as a stepping stone for the Sport Climbing course.
- Moderate Previous Gym Experiences. Previous Gym Leading is Not Required.
- Climb 5.8
- Proficiency with Belaying
- Use of ATC and or Gri-Gri Device
- Proficiency with Climbing Knots and Gear
Add Ons
- Warm Up Session
- Contact Us
Includes
- 1 full day out in the field with an ACMG guide
- Access to our online course
- All group and personal equipment (ropes, shoes, harness, helmet, belay devices, etc.)
Does Not Include
- Lunch
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Itinerary
8:30 am - Meet and greet at the Squamish Adventure Center
9 am - Travel to Smoke Bluff park and head out to the crag (two-minute drive, ten-minute hike)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Climbing, learning, and high fives.
4:30 pm - Back to the cars for debriefing and more high fives
2027 DATES
- May 9$189 per person + GSTBook
- May 23$189 per person + GSTBook
- June 6$189 per person + GSTBook
- June 9$189 per person + GSTBook
- June 20$189 per person + GSTBook
- June 23$189 per person + GSTBook
- July 4$189 per person + GSTBook
- July 8$189 per person + GSTBook
- July 18$189 per person + GSTBook
- July 21$189 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 1$189 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 4$189 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 15$189 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 18$189 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 29$189 per person + GSTBook
- Custom Dates Available$189 per person + GSTBook
Frequently Asked Questions
Itinerary
8:30 am - Meet and greet at the Squamish Adventure Center
9 am - Travel to Smoke Bluff park and head out to the crag (two-minute drive, ten-minute hike)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Climbing, learning, and high fives.
4:30 pm - Back to the cars for debriefing and more high fives
Gear List
Please come prepared to spend the whole day outside in all types of weather. It can be anything from cold in the morning as you will be climbing in the shade to very hot in the sun!
Full pants or Capris.
T-shirt or long sleeve
Warm jacket (sweatshirt, lightweight down jacket)
Rain/wind jacket (gore-tex)
Warm hat (for colder days)
Small backpack (30 litres)
Sunglasses
Good shoes; running/gym shoes are fine
Water, 1 litre
Food
Harness, Helmet, Climbing shoes (let us know if you need rentals)
Lunch/Water
Please arrive in the morning with food and drink for the day. This is also available for purchase at the Adventure center
Booking Policy
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! All the information you need about booking, payment, cancellation, and weather policies can be found in our cancellation policy and FAQs.
Do I need to have lead climbed before?
No. Gym leading is not required. You should be climbing around 5.8, be confident belaying with an ATC or GriGri, and know your climbing knots. Our Intro to Rock Climbing course covers those basics.
What is included?
A full day with an ACMG-certified guide, all group and personal climbing equipment (ropes, shoes, harness, helmet and belay devices) and access to our online course.
Where do we meet?
8:30 am at the Squamish Adventure Centre, then a short drive and a ten-minute walk to the Smoke Bluffs. The day finishes around 4:30 pm.
How many people are in the group?
A maximum of 4 climbers per guide, so you get plenty of time on lead.
Can I book a private sport climbing day?
Yes. Custom dates are available at the same price. Contact us with your dates and group size.
Can teenagers join?
Minors need a parent or legal guardian to sign their waiver. Climbers 16 and over are welcome with a parent or guardian on the course. Younger or unaccompanied minors are considered case by case, so contact the office first.
Reviews
“ Tucker catered the course to our experience levels and I felt that every step was helpful and built upon the previous skill. There was loads of practice time, climb time, and I finished the course feeling confident that I could practice those skills on my own/with friends.”
“Kinley was certain to understand the goals and objectives that each participant wanted to get out of the course. Her instructions were extremely clear and well-paced, and she would check in with everyone to ensure that techniques and the rationale behind things were understood, and to see how our energy levels were doing.”
