Steve and Andrea Charest purchased Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School. Petra Cliffs was built in 2000 after moving from the Burlington Rock Gym with original owner Chip Schlegel. In March of 2005, Mike Anderson purchased Petra Cliffs from Chip. Steve and Andrea have had the honor of working with both Chip and Mike, and still carry pieces of their legacies on the new journey.
Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School focuses on climbing and mountain-related education and recreation, accessible to all ages and abilities. We seek to offer premium instruction and services through experience-based education, uncompromising attention to safety and customer satisfaction, community outreach, growth with empowered employees, and an inspiring atmosphere for families and friends to gather for challenge and fun. Read more
5 recommendations
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Home grown climbing gym owned by a phenomenal husband and wife couple. Expert professional guiding and a strong community of local climbers. Host of the smugglers notch ice bash, these folks do it right.
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Petra Cliffs offers an excellent climbing community in Burlington to meet fellow climbers, coordinate outdoor climbs, and train together. They also offer guiding services during all seasons. With an experienced staff, they will likely have some knowledge to offer all climbers!
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Charlene T.
I had my first experience with Rock Climbing two weeks ago at Petra Cliffs. I showed up on a Monday afternoon and asked for the super basic info session that they have listed on their website for $25. I couldn't believe how patient Andrea was with me (a not very athletic 43 year old woman with WAY too many questions) and how much I learned in such a short time. It was AMAZING to climb up my first wall and terrifying to let go and trust the equipment to bring me back to earth safely.
Original recommendation
... Thank you Andrea for helping me do something that scared the bejesus out of me and that will make my life just a little more interesting and fun. -
Nick K.
Petra Cliffs is great. I go here several times a week. It's one of the larger climbing gyms I've seen with lots of space for top-roping and a separate boulder area.
Original recommendation
Routes are changed pretty frequently, so even if you climb here a lot it stays interesting.
Day passes are slightly pricey, but if you get a 10-punch card it's a decent amount cheaper. They have student discounts too. And they offer monthly, semi-annual and annual memberships, which make it even cheaper.
When to go: Avoid coming between 5 and 8 on weekdays. That's the most crowded it gets. Other than that pretty much any time is good.
Happy Climbing! -
Matt S.
Took Ice Climbing I & II this past weekend. I signed up alone and they only had one other climber but Petra Cliffs still took us up and we had a great weekend. Saturday was more focused on learning technique and climbing 2 basic walls (30ft and 60ft).
Original recommendation
Sunday was a much more rewarding climb (~250 or 300ft I was told).
As a beginner I always felt safe and comfortable while at the same time being pushed to max of my ability. Andrea was our guide and she was both extremely professional and a pleasure to hangout with over the weekend.
I will be calling them next winter when I hope to try Ice Climbing again.