With the mercury dropping, summer’s outdoor activities are losing their lustre. Take your workout indoors – and inject it with a hearty dose of (metaphorical) adrenaline – at Montreal’s best indoor rock-climbing gyms.
CEPSUM
Populated mainly by U of M students but open to the public, this sports centre and gym features one of Montreal’s oldest climbing walls, measuring 145 feet high. Non-members, $120/10 sessions. Membership, $38–$48/month. 2100 Edouard Montpetit Blvd., 514-343-6150.
Allez-Up
Located in a refurbished industrial building flooded with natural light, Allez-Up features 48-foot walls, a 16-foot bouldering wall and 35 top ropes, so even the most ADD-addled climber will be satisfied. Beginners’ courses available, too. Membership, $195/year. Non-members, $17.50/hour (reservation required). 1339 Shearer St., 514-989-9656.
Horizon Roc
This bright facility boasts 27,000 square feet of 40-foot walls, with 300-plus routes for top-roping or lead-climbing. It’s also home to 7,000 square feet of bouldering surface, a bouldering cave and other climbable structures. It doesn’t get much bigger. Members, $35/year, plus $2.75/session. Non-members, $14.25/session. 2350 Dickson St., 514-899-5000.
PARC
Dawson College’s 40-foot rock wall is open to beginners: A $130 fee (per semester) entitles you to orientation, accreditation, gear and up to three visits per week. 3040 Sherbrooke St. W., 514-931-8731, #ext. 5034
Club Sportif Côte de Liesse
This West Island fitness centre features a 35-foot climbing wall, a 12-foot bouldering wall, and, for fans of climbing but not heights, a traversing wall (no harness required). The catch: The wall is only available to rent for private events. $100/hour. 8305 Côte de Liesse Rd., 514-735-2582.
Image courtesy of py3mdwg.
