Club d'escalade de Saint-Boniface Tower

Climbing in Saint-Boniface

The Club d'escalade de Saint-Boniface (CESB) is the francophone Saint Boniface Section of the Alpine Club of Canada, founded in 1993. Its 20 m outdoor tower on Rue Messager, across the Red River from downtown Winnipeg, has more than 20 top-rope and sport routes for all levels, and in winter it becomes an ice climbing tower.

Summer rock climbing

The rock season runs from early June to late September. Public climbing is on Wednesday evenings with no booking needed: volunteers set you up, belay and give instruction, and harnesses and helmets are free. There are a few pairs of climbing shoes to borrow; otherwise bring clean trainers. To top-rope or sport climb with your own partner, you first need to pass the club's belay test.

Winter ice climbing

Once it's cold enough, usually from early to mid-January, the tower is iced for the winter. Public ice climbing runs on Saturdays from 09:30 to 16:00, with harnesses, helmets, ice tools, boots and crampons lent free, and private group bookings are available. Ice climbing is limited to ages 16 and over, and minors need a parent or guardian with them. The section also hosts the annual Festiglace de Saint-Boniface ice festival.

Members

Section members can also climb on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings in summer, and every day in the ice season when a person in charge has signed up, with a season pass or cash drop-ins. The club also runs an indoor wall in the gym at École Précieux-Sang on Kenny Street, open to members and the public on Tuesday and Friday evenings from November to June.