Gripstone Climbing & Fitness — Attraction in Colorado Springs

So where do I begin. Grip Stone seemed like a wonderful new climbing place on the east side of Colorado Springs that could offer the experience of climbing for all levels for many people. However, that is a gross overestimation. This review is a culmination of going a few times over 5 years from the time Grip Stone opened. Unfortunately I cannot speak to the climbing aspect of Grip Stone because every experience I have had at Grip Stone has been tainted by terrible customer service from the staff of Grip Stone. My very first experience at Grip Stone was during their opening weekend. Now before I continue, there are growing pains for any business when they start up but when they were charging $21 for a day pass not including rentals and expected to compete with CityRock, where at the time rentals where included for a day pass at $17, I was thoroughly not impressed. And that’s just that beginning. When I arrived at Grip Stone that opening weekend, they did not have their waiver system fully set up. So not only could I not climb but something as fundamental as a waiver for a climbing gym, waiting for 20 minutes as the staff fixed bugs seemed a little ridiculous. Then when I could sign the waiver, there was no email confirmation and I was told to redo the waiver. After the waiver fiasco, the staff told us to wait for a belay test which is no problem. However, for a brand new climbing gym on opening weekend, there was a grand total of 4 staff members including the front desk staff. Pretty poor planning on their part as I waited for another 20 minutes or so for staff to eventually say something to me and my sister. At this point we were at the climbing gym for almost 45 minutes without doing a single lick of climbing and having no communication from staff members about when or where we could do a belay test and climb. I’ll give them grace for being a new climbing gym, but that is absolutely abysmal planning from their gym management. Going back however, when we waited for 20 minutes after doing our waivers, about 45 minutes after entering the gym, a staff member approached my sister and I and ask an absurd question. The gym had run out belay devices apparently even though a grand total of 2 patrons were in the gym. So the staff member asked my sister and I if they could borrow OUR belay devices to teach those other patrons to climb. I was appalled at such a question and lack of preparation on the part of the gym staff. For a brand new gym, on opening weekend no less, I was surprised at the sheer amount of shinhoisery that was present during that initial visit.

As I tried to allow grace and give Grip Stone another shot on follow up visits due to the nature of businesses needing help and time to develop routines, the staff continued to be rude and act in a condescending manner towards me. And the fact that over the course of the 5 years I have visited Grip Stone, it makes me wonder how the owners think they can continue to raise prices and promote a “quality” climbing environment when the staff they employ are absolute wankers.

The climbing is mediocre. Half of the building is wasted space and the other half can only be accessed by individuals with climbing memberships.

Honestly, the best and only one star climbing gym I’ve ever been to. Never again will I go or promote this gym.

If you got this far, send me a message and I’ll give you a...

I'm a new climber, so this review is from a novice perspective.

I have been there twice. The facility is spacious, well lit and clean. The staff is friendly and welcoming to new climbers. It has a members only workout facility upstairs with treadmills, some weight lifting and climbing specific training equipment upstairs. There's also a couple pieces of aerobic equipment on the main floor. I believe there are locker rooms as well.

They have COVID protocols in place and hand cleansing stations throughout. There are plenty of places to sit and stow gear. There are also lockers to store valuables, but I haven't used them. Most of the climbers are low key and respectful. There are some pretty talented climbers to watch when I've been there. It is family friendly. I saw kids climbing with adult supervision.

A day pass is $20. I rented equipment (shoes and harness) for an extra $4. They also offer some equipment sales. They offer a discount for military and I believe that also includes first responders. Membership for me (no discount) would be $79 per month. The web site covers prices.

The orientation for new members and day pass holders is comprehensive and doesn't take too long. This covers, gym policies, etiquette, general climbing safety, use of the auto-belay system and bouldering walls. You fill out and sign electronic waivers before and after your orientation. They keep them on file so you don't have to repeat the process with each day visit. They also offer belay and lead climbing classes that allow you to climb on some of the more difficult routes.

Of the few climbing gyms I've visited, this one has plenty of walls and routes to improve your skills. I'm too inexperienced to comment on their quality, but I can say I've been able to find something that was just above my current ability to challenge me. They have the typical options for a well equipped facility. There are a number of auto belay routes from beginner 5.5 level up to 5.10d and above. (For beginner and solo climbers auto belay allow you to climb without a partner.)

There are some routes that require you have a climbing partner who has taken the gym's belay class (or been checked out by the gym's staff). Like other gyms, these have a pre-set top rope but require you to have a belay device. They are generally 5.9 and above. There are also routes pre-set with quick draws. Most of these have some serious overhangs. They require a lead climbing class at the gym and a rope (not sure if they rent ropes for this or not). The times I've been there these lead climbing routes are generally open.

Oh yes, they also have an interesting wall with two identical auto belay routes side by side you can climb in competition with another climber like a "drag race."

As a new climber I have felt welcome and that I could get started without feeling...

My kids have had a great time here and always ask to go back. The staff is hit or miss as far as being friendly. The guy today definitely liked rocks more than people. He was not friendly or really acknowledged my very excited children. He acted like they were a giant inconvenience. I had to ask him to check my kids equipment to make sure it was on right. They asked for chalk bags repeatedly and then he hung them in front of their faces and said “now, what do you say?” Very condescending.

I wouldn’t recommend going solo with two younger kids. He told me I had to help him clip in and out each time, while simultaneously apparently monitoring my other sons every move on the boulder wall. We are 100% all about rules and safety, but please give a mom a break. You’re standing there “ monitoring”, maybe take the time to explain to a 5 year old the exact rules, instead of telling him to go tell his mom she needs to watch him. I get that bouldering is a little chaotic and it’s a lot to watch what’s going on for a small kid. They almost need to mark off a kids area or just do no kids. It’s too hard to be watching in opposite directions (try to clip one kid in and watch a a speedy 5 year old boulder)

Then, another rude man, who apparently also works there, stopped me literally as I’m walking out to tell me I need to be right UNDER my son as he’s bouldering in case someone falls and falls into him. He motioned that I should be there to catch him? So then all 3 of us can get hurt?! I’m fairly positive my son stayed on the VERY easy part of the boulder wall so I’m not sure why this professional needed to be anywhere near him. So there was a little bit of variation on rules which is hard for me as an adult, let alone a child.

We were going to sign up for a family membership today until I had these two encounters. My kids are not perfect and are still learning and what would be more constructive would be getting on their level and explaining the “why” behind the rules to help them grow and learn-especially if rock climbing is something they choose to pursue.

I will say, the girl working today was very friendly and DID seem like she liked kids and people. If they were all like her, we would probably join. You should have staff that want to help and teach the up and coming generation the right and safe way to do things. Not just stand there to scold parents. Huge missed teaching opportunity. I think we will try somewhere more...