Due to the tumultuous snowy and hazardous conditions in our region, we sometimes must alter our hours of operation. Please check back here, or on our Google Business Page, for the most up-to-date information.
Thursday 12/5: 5a-8p
Friday 12/6: 10a-8p
Saturday 12/7: 10a-8p
Sunday 12/8: 10a-8p
ASCEND Erie officially opened on November 3, 2023, bringing Erie residents this much desired sports and recreational amenity. This 25,000 SF facility, which is part of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation’s revitalization efforts, features 50’ lead climbing, top-roping, and auto-belay walls, ample bouldering terrain, a tranquil yoga room, an array of fitness equipment and climbing training tools, slacklines, a retail store featuring today's most trusted brands, your favorite concessions, modern restrooms with showers, changing areas, and gender neutral options, comfortable lounge space to relax, work, and socialize, and of course, tons of glass - natural light!
This facility was designed to suit all types of climbers: beginners, outdoor crushers, competitors, those who have adaptive needs, groups, youth and families. You name it, we've got it.
Getting into any new activity can be intimidating, especially one steeped in lore like rock climbing! Fear not, ASCEND aims to make climbing as approachable and accessible as possible. We truly believe climbing is for everyBODY.
If you're new to climbing and ASCEND, in addition to the Erie-specific FAQs below, please also Get Started Here.
CAR PARKING: There is a convenient parking garage on 5th and Peach located right next to us! Outside of the parking garage, there is tons of nearby metered street parking that is 25 cents per 20 minutes. Additionally, those metered spots are free after 6p Monday through Saturdays and all day on Sundays.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: The EMTA (Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority) offers free bus service from the Intermodal Center to State Street on the weekdays from about 7:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturdays from 5:00pm to midnight. The EMTA also offers rides for free to students at Behrend, Gannon, Mercyhurst and nurses at UPMC.
BIKE PARKING: We have lots of indoor bike parking! It's a great way to warm up as your pre-climb workout.
Yeah, you are! Go HERE to learn more and get started.
Yes! You will be treated like royalty no matter which ASCEND gym you visit. Our global memberships get you the same access at all ASCEND locations.
Here is a letter explaining more from ClimbERIE's founder - now ASCEND's Director of Strategic Partnerships - David Bonner:
Open letter to the Erie Climbing Community,
First of all, we want to thank you all for your support in our efforts to bring Erie its first ever indoor climbing facility. We have seen an overwhelming response from many and it has kept us motivated throughout these difficult times. Not only has the pandemic slowed our progress, but lack of available commercial property has not helped. Our community has been through it all and remains supportive and positive. We are excited for the next phase. Our partnership with ASCEND Climbing has allowed us to finally move forward and build the climbing gym that Erie truly deserves.
Common values and vision have evolved into this collaboration between ClimbERIE and ASCEND and ASCEND Erie will be the product. Our focus is on creating a community. Not just of climbers, but all residents of the Erie area. ASCEND Erie will be a place that this great city will be proud of, as a business, as a landmark, and as a champion for the city itself. Our name may not be ClimbERIE, but the values and dedication to the community remain. That spirit that has encouraged and motivated us through the last three years will always remain at the heart of ASCEND Erie and we look forward to serving you for years to come. Thank you!
Respectfully,
ClimbERIE/ASCEND Erie
ROPES: At the very beginning, we will have 1 or 2 routes per lane, but will continue to add more to the density over the coming weeks and months.
BOULDERS: Similarly, the opening set will thicken up with a higher density over the coming weeks and months.
Eventually, all of them! But, you should be able to view our program descriptions, schedule, and registration pages on the various program pages, which are linked below.
If you bought a membership anytime before November 6th, you'll get a free founding member shirt! But, these won't be printed until after the 6th, so you won't get yours until later in November. Thank you for your patience!
For those wanting to hit the ropes or auto-belays who haven't yet tested-out to do so at an ASCEND location, you first need to successfully pass our rope test-outs. We have separate test-outs for auto-belaying, top-roping (includes auto-belay), and lead-climbing (includes auto-belay and top-roping). Simply visit the front desk to learn more and get in line. If you have no idea what to do, we offer in-depth classes to show you the ropes!
You typically won't need to make a reservation or wait too long to do a test-out. It's our sincere goal to be able to administer a test out at any point throughout each and every day. That being said, there are some exceptions to this, especially in these first few weeks of being open.
Occasionally, the gym is just too busy or we're temporarily short-staffed for us to handle a request in the moment. Our staff may be pulled in different directions or there could be a large event occurring. Usually, they will just need some time to get back to you within the hour, but sometimes, they may not be able to while you're there. This is not the norm, but it does happen.
Early in the morning and late at night, we pair down our staffing levels, so again, these times may not be ideal for test-outs, though, it's usually still possible, if you can be patient with us.
If you have limited availability and really want to ensure you get the opportunity to test out, you can always call or email us to work something out.
ASCEND Erie's climbing terrain, constructed by OnSite, offers a variety of modern rope climbing and bouldering features, including lead climbing, top-roping, auto-belays, a developmental zone, adjustable training walls and other state of the art equipment to assist climbers of all abilities.
BOULDERING
4,000 SF of terrain comprising three uniquely designed boulders ranging from 12' to 14' tall
100' + 80' wide peninsulas with varying terrain
20' wide top-out boulder designed to serve as a dedicated developmental zone
ROPE
52' tall
150' linear feet
25 climbing stations with a mix of auto-belay, top-rope, and lead-only lanes
TRAINING
Campus Board
Adjustable 12' Training Board (to be installed ASAP)
2-sided, 10' long training board affixed with hang boards, edges, slopers, and other various grips (to be installed ASAP)
ASCEND Erie's yoga studio will make you smile. Its 14' ceilings allow for acro play, and alongside the giant, floor to ceiling windows, provides an openness that any yogi will want to soak in. We have all the props you'll need for class, but feel free to bring your own.
Over the years, we've hosted dozens of workshops, such as... Hulahoop Basics, Therapeutic Acro + Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Handstands for Everyone!, Personalize Your Practice, Nutrition + Yoga, Super Stretch, Functional Mobility + Expressive Dance, Functional Strength, Deep Stretch, Icarian Adventures, Envision Your Future, Make Shapes Engage Asanas, Sun Salutations, Acro Yoga Dance Lifts, Intro to Ayurveda, and Unwind The Spine... just to name a few!
This 1,000 SF space comfortably fits roughly 20 yogis, depending on the class style, and most classes run for 60 minutes. When the studio is not in official use, it is made accessible to our members and guests to stretch, practice, or just simply escape.
ASCEND Erie's fitness area is roughly 2,000 SF and is integrated into the bouldering and training zone.
Cardio Corner:
Bikes, treadmills, rower
Open space for stretching, acro play, group warm ups
Cross-Training Zone:
Large rogue rack, outfitted with pull-up bars, squat and bench stations, dip bar, TRX
Ample dumbbells, kettlebells, plates, bars, and benches for all your lifting needs
Precor FTS Glide Functional Trainer
Extensive accessories like, bands, jump ropes, dowel rods, boxes, balls, foam rollers, and so much more!
Planned For The Future:
Elliptical, stair stepper, Concept2 SkiErg, more rowers, landmines, and so much more!
ASCEND Erie's youth programs are designed to grow strong minds and bodies in Erie's youth. No matter a child's age or level of experience, we've got a program for you.
In addition to programming, this location has a developmental zone designed for beginners of all ages to learn foundational movement to comfortable on the wall, as well as many other special youth focused activities!
The ASCEND community offers a wide range of events and clubs to help you achieve your goals, on and off the walls. Sure, climbing is the best thing ever, but you never know who or what else you might fall in love with. So step out of your comfort zone and join in on the fun!
ASCEND Erie will feature a permanent slackline that guests can use whenever they like. And every few months, we transform the entire gym into a slackline playground, featuring low-lines, mid-lines, long-lines, trick-lines, rodeo-lines, and any other type of line you can think of!