Every Climber Should Attend the 2024 Arc’teryx Climb Academy

From epic films to educational clinics, you won't want to miss this year's Arc'teryx Climb Academy in Squamish

Gripped May 15, 2024

Climbers from around the world will be returning to Squamish for the 17th Arc’teryx Climb Academy this August 23rd to 25th. From clinics for beginners to words of wisdom for seasoned rock climbers, there’s something for everyone at this annual event.

The Academy boasts a wide range of clinic types with a variety of levels designed to educate and inspire, from the basics of top roping to the depths of advanced trad climbing. This year’s clinic line up showcases even more mountain running clinics that offer a fresh look at terrain and education around alpine running.. And for those just looking to get into the backcountry, there will be hiking clinics offering an educational approach to the outdoors.

Of course the Academy is more than a formal gathering of top-level climbers and new-to-the-sport participants, it’s also a catalyst for climbers to revisit old partnerships and to build new ones. At the 2023 Arc’teryx Climb Academy, Matt Brooks, a climber from eastern Canada who had been living in his van in Squamish for the summer, said that he was blown away by the talent that came to town – from 5.13R trad climber Amity Warme to Rockies ice legend Raphael Slawinski. And despite having 15 years of climbing to his name, he said he’ll always sign up for at least one clinic in future events.

And Moa Bergström, who had just moved to Squamish from Sweden, said, “This year when the clinics opened, we were quick to book it.” The clinic she signed up for was All Things Offwidth Clinic, which took place at the Smoke Bluffs. Bergström, like many people who take clinics at the Arc’teryx Climb Academy, was an experienced climber looking to learn something new. “Offwidth is such a specific skill,” she said. “When you’re starting out trad climbing, it’s easy to pick up hand and finger jamming, but offwidth is so specific that you’re not necessarily just gonna go try it when you’re just starting out. There are some good nuggets to pick up from this clinic.”

Moa Bergstrom taking part in the offwidth clinic

That was the same story at all of the clinics – stoked people learning about climbing techniques, rope systems, and new ways to improve their performances. Some of the clinics offered this year, include Bouldering Tactics with Drew Ruana, Rock Rescue with Sarah Hueniken, Sport Climbing Tactics with Alannah Yip, Women’s Intro to Trad with Nina Caprez, Limit Projecting with Jonathan Siegrist, Rockin’ Out: A Queer Climbing Day with Jordan Cannon, and Adaptive Climbing Techniques with Craig DeMartino.

Away from the rock in downtown Squamish, Arc’teryx always has several things for climbers to do, from getting damaged gear fixed at the ReBird shop to taking part in a bouldering comp. As the evening rolls around, the late-day programming starts with a land acknowledgement by the Squamish Nation, followed by films and live music. There’s never a dull moment.

Arc’teryx is a brand that’s sewn into the fabric of North American climbing history, but it’s also leading the way in the world of outdoor recreation. It’s helping to shape the future of climbing by making it more inclusive, more accessible, more safe and more fun. The Arc’teryx Climb Academy brings together some of the world’s best climbers – arguably many of the best climbing mentors of today – and team them up with those looking for guidance and leadership. The 2024 Arc’teryx Climb Academy will be a weekend like no other for countless sport climbers, trad climbers and boulderers. Everyone will walk away having gained something.

Visit the Arc’teryx Climb Academy website here for the full 2024 line-up of clinics, films and more! And be sure to follow Arc’teryx Academy on Instagram below.