Group Climbing Classes
Want a more personal experience than the below group options? Try a Private Lesson.
Skills Classes
Learn the fundamental aspects of rock climbing responsibly – communication, belaying, and climbing skills.
Top Rope Skills
UpTown Top Rope Lowdown:
FOR: Climbers who want to move beyond auto-belays and the boulder to climb on our top ropes. Good for beginners, parents of young climbers, or just climbers who need a belay refresher.
PREREQUISITES: Advance registration required. You must be 14 to take this class and 16 to belay without supervision in the gym.
IMPORTANT: This class requires at least two participants and may be cancelled 24-48 hours in advance if lacking advance registrations.
DURATION: 2 hours
COST: Click “Sign Up” to view price & availability.
Free for new members during their first 30 days of membership! “Free” members should sign up with the front desk to avoid payment.
Perfect for new climbers, this 2-hour class will give you the necessary understanding of safety guidelines, top-rope belay technique, and proper climber/belayer communication. This class is not required to climb at UpTown - walk-ins may still climb on our auto-belays and the bouldering wall after a 1-time orientation.
You will learn how to properly tie a figure-8 follow through knot, to top rope belay using the PBUS belay method, and how to use a assisted braking device to belay your climber.
Successful completion of this class and the subsequent required three skills checks will allow those aged 16 and older to belay on any of the 50 top rope stations. Those aged 14-15 can belay only with a belay-certified patron backing up the brake hand.
If time permits, participants may receive their first skills check at the end of the class.
Lead Rope Skills
UpTown Lead Rope Lowdown:
FOR: Experienced top-rope climbers, parents of experienced top-rope climbers, climbers who need a refresher.
PREREQUISITES: You must be 16 to take this class, top-rope belay certified at UpTown, minimum 3 months active top rope belay experience, 5.9+ confident climber, your own rock climbing harness (our rentals do not count). Advance registration required.
DURATION: 4 hours over either one or two day options
COST: Click “Sign Up” to view pricing
Up the adrenaline. Lead climbing is more dynamic and dangerous for both the climber and the belayer. This class will provide experienced top-rope climbers/belayers with additional safety guidelines, continuing to hone and understand principles of sound belay technique, and with special considerations for lead climbing and belaying. You will learn proper clipping technique, foot placement, how to fall, how to catch a climber, and what not to do. This class includes a lead-belay-only option for people who want to belay a lead climber but don’t want to lead climb. Sign up is the same.
Successfully completing this course and the subsequent skills check allows you to lead climb or belay in the gym, including on our centerpiece lead-only wall.
Gym to Crag
UpTown Gym to Crag Lowdown:
FOR: Experienced top-rope climbers, parents of experienced top-rope climbers, climbers who need a refresher.
PREREQUISITES: You must be 16 to take this class, and top-rope belay certified at UpTown
DURATION: 2 hour
COST: Click “Sign Up” to view pricing
Learn the basics of outdoor sport climbing! In this 2-hour class, you will learn outdoor etiquette and ethics, managing sport climbing gear, setting an anchor, cleaning a sport route, and rappelling.
Technique Classes
Improve your climbing through technique, movement, and strategy.
Climbing 101 - Beginner Technique
FOR: Beginners who climb at a 5.9/v2 or less
PREREQUISITES: A positive attitude
DURATION: 2 hours
COST: Click “Sign Up” to view pricing
This introductory course is designed for any person who wants to understand how movement on vertical terrain can be refined and made more effective and efficient. It is well-suited for those climbing 5.9 and below on ropes or v2 and below on boulders. You will learn about holds, body position, foot placement, balance, and more. Completion of this class should make you more stable and confident on the wall.
Climbing 201 - Intermediate Technique
FOR: Intermediate climbers.
PREREQUISITES: Climbing at or greater than a 5.10/v3
DURATION: 2 hours
COST: Click “Sign Up” to view pricing
This class is well-suited for those climbing 5.10 and above on ropes or v3 and above on boulders. This 2-hour class is designed for the experienced climber who is ready to move UP a grade. Participants will receive coaching in footwork, sequencing, and body positioning.
