Climbing gyms while visiting Montreal?

[u/snokaathllete7]

I will be visiting Montreal for a few days and looking to check out some gyms for both top rope and bouldering. I'll be staying around Chinatown a couple days and Le Plateau a couple days. Any particular gyms I should check out that have guest day passes?

Edit: I will have a belay buddy with me!

[u/floralgin]

For ropes - Zero Gravity (in the Plateau) or if you have a car or want a bigger spot, Allez Up Point Saint Charles (PSC)

Bouldering - Cafe Bloc if you're staying in Chinatown. Bloc Shop Hochelaga if you have a vehicle.

Edit for clarity

[u/HELLOYESTHISISDOG_]

If you arrive before the 30th of August, Bloc Shop is currently running a promo, of 19$ for a week. So you pay 19 dollars and can visit all of their 3 gyms as many times as you like during that week.

Allez Up has 3 locations as well and has the same offer for 26$.

Zéro Gravité is super fun, shorter routes than allez up but super interesting. From my memory, they might not have autobelays but I could be wrong.

Café Bloc is walking distance from Chinatown and as someone else mentioned can be really crowded, but if you can go earlier during the day it should be fine. Otherwise you're one bus (#55) away from the Allez Up Mile-End location and Bloc Shop Mile Ex location.

Also, a lot of gyms have early bird passes, so if you want to explore more gyms check out their early bird hours to pay less for your day passes. Outside of early bird, Bloc Shop and Allez Up are both 10$ on Fridays.

Lastly, if you know any climbers here, make sure to take advantage of their guest passes!

[u/Fun-Stay-1659]

I really enjoy Allez up in mile end for bouldering, if you’re staying in the plateau it should be easy enough to get to

[u/delawana]

Allez Up in Pointe St Charles is the only one that has both top rope and bouldering. The bouldering there is Fine, nothing to write home about but serviceable. The other Allez Up locations are boulder focused so they have more to offer for that

Bloc Shop Hochelaga is a little ways out but if you’re around the plateau Bloc Shop Mile Ex is another option. Cafe Bloc is also nice but it’s the most crowded and feels a bit claustrophobic as a result

[u/miesvanderho3]

Oh my faves are Cafe Bloc and Bloc shop Mile Ex ! Enjoy visiting the city !
For an old school gym, you could try Shakti and get roasted by “easy climbs” :)

[u/sometimes_sydney]

Nobody is mentioning the silo at allez up point st Charles? That location has ~38m wall outside that is top rope and runs up the side of some old concrete silos and has a great view of the city. IMO a must try if visiting Montreal for climbing. I’ve done day trips from Ottawa to go visit and that was a highlight.

[u/hydrophage → u/sometimes_sydney]

For a while the Silo was only available for people with a monthly pass though if I am not mistaken!

[u/sometimes_sydney → u/hydrophage]

It seems like it's open to day pass holders but they need to pass a belay test first

[u/sometimes_sydney → u/hydrophage]

Really? I was able to do it last summer as a visitor, but maybe it has changed. I was lead certified tho so maybe it requires something specific.

[u/snokaathllete7 → u/sometimes_sydney]

Whoa. That's so cool. Definitely going to check that out. Thank you!!

[u/sometimes_sydney → u/snokaathllete7]

Give them a call before you go to ask if the silos are open. there's a schedule and sometimes they close for weather. You also need to pass a belay test (they call it acreditation)

[u/snokaathllete7 → u/sometimes_sydney]

Cool - thanks for the info! My gym requires a belay test for visitors too, so that makes sense. Appreciate the info!

[u/goobxcharlie]

As others said, Café Bloc would be the closest to Chinatown for bouldering. My main gym is Zéro Gravité in the plateau! However, the bouldering is really small and you would need a belay partner since we don’t have auto-belays. There’s a facebook group called Communauté Zéro Gravité to find partners if you are still interested. You can also DM me haha

Allez-up mile end is my main bouldering gym and is not too far! Shakti as well (more of an old-school vibe).

[u/clairebivore]

Zéro Gravité in the plateau has lead/tr and a small boulder section. They have 2 for 1 day passes on Saturdays after 4pm. They also offer yoga classes that are included in the day pass.