Boulderz Etobicoke Climbing Centre — Attraction in Toronto

I’ve been to the Etobicoke and Junction location with kids just under 4 and I can say both locations have their advantages and challenges. For both locations, the kids didn’t feel comfortable with the harnesses so we only did the free climb areas.

Junction - The area is much smaller compared to Etobicoke and if you have a toddler that tends to run off and you need to chase them, it can be a bit crowded and dangerous because adults and kids are climbing everywhere near the kid’s area. However, the level of difficulty is very low for their kid’s area. My toddler had no problem and did not need assistance with climbing up and sliding down (a small slide with a bit of a drop). There are cubbies to hold your stuff with no cost.

Etobicoke - A large area with high ceilings and a bench area for resting nearby in the kid’s area. It was really spacious and it felt less crowded/claustrophobic. They have marked off waiting lines so kids aren’t close enough to get hurt if another child falls. If your kid tends to run off, you have enough space to catch them before they reach the larger adult areas. The level of difficulty is higher at this location. My toddler asked for assistance the whole time but I think with practice, she won’t need it. The slide is much bigger. Lockers are a dollar (each time you open it, you have to pay a dollar to lock it again).

Both locations - Awesome and patient staff who were very welcoming and my toddler LOVED both locations, like, “stayed for three hours” kind of love. Also, give yourself an extra bit of time to sign waivers for everyone. Even the baby I was carrying had to get one. The smallest we got for climbing shoes was a size 8 at both locations. My kid is a size 7-8 and they fit great.

I hope this helps any parents deciding on an activity or which location to start with their little one. My little one keeps asking me when we’ll go again. My review above is reflective of my experience so others may feel...

TL;DR: Dirtiest holds we’ve ever seen, facilities were neglected, and staff stood around doing nothing; not worth the $25 fee. Would not come again. . . .

My partner and I had previously been to the DuPont location and were expecting a big new gym with nice walls and good climbs. This was, unfortunately, not the experience we had. First of all, the drop-in fee was $25 each (incl tax). This didn’t bother us too much at first, as we were expecting the gym to be pretty sweet. When we started climbing, however, we noticed that some of the holds were pretty slippery. Then as we continued climbing; we realized that the majority of the holds were caked with rubber, and didn’t seem like they had been cleaned in a year. They were so dirty that the top half was totally black and shiny (see photos). These were definitely the dirtiest holds we had ever seen in a climbing gym. Also, we noticed multiple times that some of the staff were just standing behind the front desk on their phones or chatting. While this would be fine if the gym wasn’t busy, this was on a Saturday afternoon. The place was packed. To top it off, there were children running everywhere, often times with no supervision. My partner almost fell on one who had run beneath him while he was climbing. This could’ve been avoided if the staff who were just chilling behind the front desk patrolled the perimeter of the gym. Furthermore, the bathroom had no paper towel and so there was a line of 5 people for the hand dryer. Would have been nice if that was taken care of, especially since their staff were just standing around doing nothing. On a positive note, the route setting was pretty good, albeit graded a little on the hard side. After today, we won’t be coming back here to climb, nor will we recommend it to friends, as there are better gyms only a 10...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Boulderz Climbing Centre is a great place for both beginners and experienced climbers. The facility offers a good variety of climbing walls, from bouldering to top-rope routes, with options that cater to different skill levels. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help out, whether you’re a first-timer needing a quick tutorial or an experienced climber looking for tips to tackle a tricky route.

The atmosphere is welcoming and community-focused, which adds to the overall experience. You can tell that people come here not just to climb but to be part of a friendly and supportive climbing culture. The space itself is well-maintained, and the climbing holds are regularly changed to keep things fresh and challenging. There’s always something new to try, which makes it exciting to come back frequently.

For beginners, the staff does a great job of making the experience less intimidating by offering introductory classes and being available for questions. The rental equipment is in good condition, though having your own gear is definitely an advantage if you plan to climb often.

It can get a bit crowded during peak hours, which sometimes means waiting for a turn on certain walls. However, if you’re flexible with your climbing times, you can usually find quieter periods. The workout area is fairly basic but sufficient for warming up or doing some cross-training before or after climbing.

Overall, Boulderz is a solid climbing gym with a positive vibe and enough variety to keep climbers engaged. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, try something new, or just have a fun workout, it’s definitely...