Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms

This was a really fun new thing to try. I went with 2 friends and since we weren’t experienced we used the automatic balays (prob spelled wrong) it was a good time!

Some friends and I went to Cliffhanger for a Just Belay group session. The service was excellent, from the reception staff when I called to make the booking, to the onsite staff on the day. Everyone we encountered was helpful, attentive, friendly and professional, and we had a great time.
I really liked the format of the Just Belay session; the cost, the duration and the instruction are all perfectly pitched.
Our belay staff were amazing. The four of us were all first time climbers, and they put us at our ease, encouraged us and made the whole experience really fun and rewarding.
One thing that had worried me was rental shoes and the harnesses — would they be comfortable/​would I find the right fit, etc. The Cliffhanger staff made sure I was as comfortable as could be, and they did a great job making sure we were safe as houses too.
There are lockers if you want to secure your stuff, clean bathrooms, and plenty of space to hang coats, etc. The smell of feet (which yes, lasted only for a very short time before I got used to it, heh) is really the only negative thing I can think of to say about Cliffhanger. And since it wasn’t an issue after 15 seconds, I give them top marks. Can’t wait to go again!

Love this place. It looks small at first but it’s not. I spent hours here and it’s good exercise. Tiring and challenging. They do spicy it up and change the climbs a bit. Only thing is that at the top where there is the overhang they have a white plastic pipe on the edge. It’s slippery and if they put a stepper rock on the bottom, it’s very hard to get access and there is no grip. But I do see the pro with those white pipe. At least you won’t get scraped.
They have a few auto belay. Not bad. Had a great time here.
First time here free rentals. Definitely coming back

Fantastic experience. You have to try it to believe how fun it is. Stephanie was a first class belayer. It was our first time and she was so nice and helpful.

I have been an avid climber for about 6 months now, ever since I first picked it up to get in shape when I was living in the Kootenays. Cliffhanger’s perhaps the closest climbing gym to home (Burnaby) and probably the easiest to access by transit. The only complaint I have is that it is a couple blocks walk from the closest bus stop (Main and Industrial Ave.) which is no fun after 2 hours of climbing when you don’t have a car. Also, it’d be nice to have shower facilities in the locker rooms as you do get pretty sweaty after just an hour or two of climbing and it’s not fun to go home drenched in sweat.
It’s a well-​maintained gym with lots of great routes and a diverse mix of avid climbers and first timers. On Saturday and Sunday, they have drop in climbing for $ 23 which includes equipment, belay service, and even a bit of coaching. Great for beginners looking to test the waters or those like me who are interesting in improving in the technique realm. I can’t speak for the rental equipment as I already have all my own.
The autobelay machines are nice for days when you don’t have anyone to climb with and don’t want to just stick to bouldering.

Best route setters in Vancouver… Especially «TC». Routes are varied and flowing. Three auto-​belay cords allow you to warm up our train by yourself. Small but good bouldering venue. Staff ate knowledgeable and friendly.

I came here with 4 other friends with a SocialShopper deal and they were very accommodating and good with reservations. Separate parking lot but street parking available if it gets full as well.
As mentioned in other reviews (and I was really hoping they were wrong) the place has a deep smell of feet when you first enter, but luckily the nose senses get overwhelmed and you get used to it after a little bit. Other than that, my first time rock-​climbing was amazing!
After signing our waiver forms, Christian (our instructor) came out and greeted us. He was friendly, helpful and remembered all our names in a really short time! He took us climbing walls starting with easy to medium to hard. He was very informative in what muscles we should be using, giving us tips (like keeping your arms straight as much as possible decrease fatigue), encouraging us, giving us breaks, etc. He was very flexible in what difficulty in walls we wanted to climb and gave us tips on which rocks to use if we got stuck.
We went through 4.5 walls in our 2 hours and my arms were spent. Good workout for your body and mind, to figure out the best path and determination to get to the top. Overall, super great experience and he was an amazing instructor! I would definitely climb and hang out here again!

Took the three hour belay course last night with some friends. Our instructor John was very good and thorough. Funny sense of humour but serious when needed. We learned a lot and by my 4^th climb I was feeling less afraid of falling. My arms and hands are feeling it today and I think I may be hooked.
The monthly membership is reasonable and you can rent gear if you need. If you’re going to get serious though you should invest in your own gear. There are cubbies to keep your stuff and small lockers that you can put your valuables for only $ 0.25. There’s a water fountain and you’ll need it! My kids used to go to camps here on their March breaks and it’s also a great place for a birthday party.
There is parking on the street if the lot is full. The gym has an overall slight aroma of feet and sweat and is loaded with strong, athletic people. Super impressed while watching some women do pull-​ups in the upstairs area where there’s also bouldering. Consider this sport for the long, wet, winter months!

This is the second year we’ve held a client event at Cliffhanger and both times we have had an absolute blast and received just incredible service. I can’t say enough great things about the staff here — they are beyond friendly and were so helpful both leading up to the event and on the day itself.
I would absolutely recommend this location and will definitely be bringing clients and their families back again next year.

This is a wonderful establishment. Take beginners very seriously. Eric helped set us up and was easy to work with. Josh was a patient calm instructor. Very good considering we were from out I town and didn’t have much time… they were very flexible. Lots of fun!!!

Yay first time climbing. Shoes and harness rental is free for the first timers. I started with easier one and did about 4 then couldn’t do anymore! If you don’t have a friend who can belay (hold your rope) then you have to pay for a staff to belay for you! Best to go with someone who knows how to climb. There’s a real science to the climbing, and if you go first thing in the morning even on the weekend more chances you can try different levels freely without hitting someone next to you.

Tried rock climbing and bouldering for the first time, and I loved it.
Cliffhanger Climbing is a great place to learn how to rock climb and boulder. Lessons are offered and if you need someone to belay, staff are available to help (please call ahead). This location is spacious, well ventilated and guaranteed to give you a good workout. The climbs are changed every few months so there will always be climbs that’ll test your spirit and challenge your strength.
I’m definitely returning and hopefully learn to belay soon!

This is where you go to top rope indoors in Vancouver. It does have a teeny tiny bouldering wall on its second level, but it’s mostly overhang stuff.
I’ve had people say to me that the «vibe» at Hive is better: People are more friendly and laid back and that there’s good music played, but the folks at Cliffhanger are friendly enough and I don’t mind that there is no music — it’s nice not having to talk so loudly to the people you’re with.
Like Hive, the beginner’s course is solid (you need a second person to do it with you at Cliffhanger, though, as you’re belaying), facilities are clean although maybe not as bright, place does get crowded during afterwork hours, it costs money to climb indoors, and the shoes are gross.

The best climbing gym in the whole Lower Mainland. The staff have always been very friendly and helpful. I used to climb at the old Cliffhanger on Manitoba but this place was built from the ground up to be a climbing gym.
Lots of variety in the routes. If you’re a climber then this is the place to be when you can’t get outside!
PS: Can’t wait for the expansion.

I like it here. It can get quite busy and it’s a tad small, but that’s about the only thing that’s really wrong. Oh! And they’re expanding! Okay, and it’s a bit smelly — but what do you expect?
They keep changing up the routes and the staff are super friendly and nice. They are honest and rely on the honour system, which is refreshing. I also took the beginner one-​time course thing and that was fantastic, it brought me up to speed.

Tad bit small, but it would do. Smells like feet, but you get used to it quickly, and probably won’t find yourself thinking about it when you’re climbing to the top.
38 ft. Works every inch of your muscle. Staff was friendly, and helps you locate nubs when you’re a noobie.
It gets packed, and there isn’t any stopping a more experienced climber to just by pass you, while you cling on to dear life. I’ve had better rock climbing experiences else where, but they are a lot taller. so the fear kicks into me a lot faster and harder than the 38ft.

Stopped in here to climb during a vacation. This is a new-​seeming, clean gym, with a pretty good selection of routes. The staff (and pretty much everybody else there) was very friendly, and if you’re there for the first time gear rentals are free. This was a nice plus, since we’d just brought our shoes.
We went in the middle of the day, and had the run of the place, but it’s not exactly huge. I could see it getting crowded.

This is a fantastic place if you enjoy climbing. The staff are great too. It is a terrific place to keep in good shape during the cool wet winter months. The gym is usually very quiet during the week days.

I’ve been climbing here regularly for the past year. The staff are pretty friendly and the vibe is great — a couple things to note:
1. The staff care more about liability than actual safe practices — that means that they’ll ask you to clip in to the ground if you weigh less than your climber when you’re on belay (this isn’t actually a safe thing to do on top rope).
2. Right after work hours (5 – 8:30) the gym is packed and there are lines for the ropes. I tend to show up from 9:00 till close and the gym is clear and doesn’t smell as sweaty.
3. The Technique courses are by far the best value for money. $ 200 for 6 weeks @3hrs a week means you’re paying $ 11/​hr for a small class with an instructor that is certified and can teach you to improve your skills. That’s a bargain.