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An anchor in the Squamish climbing community,

Members
waiver

Committed to Learning & Improving

Ground Up runs on continually re-evaluating and challenging our ability to have a growth mindset. Much like the boulder problems and routes you seek out in our facility, we see problems as opportunities for growth.

We are real people

We work to solve real problems and we know we will make mistakes, but we are committed to learning and improving to better our community.

Mission

To be the foundation for a sustainable climbing community committed to knowledge, training and growth.

Objectives

Promote community engagement through indoor climbing. Encourage youth participation through programs and opportunities. Create an inclusive space for climbers of all levels to learn, train and grow. Provide comprehensive climbing education that allows for good habits, problem solving and decision-making throughout the climbers life.

Mindset

Growth Mindset - We are okay with failure. In fact, we value it. Learning from our mistakes and leaning into challenges is what climbing is all about. As a company, we are constantly re-committing to re-examining what we are doing then learning, and improving.

Our Senior Leadership Team

Meghan: Operations Manager

Meghan is the operations manager for Ground Up, taking care of our facilities and front desk. She got into climbing as a teenager at her local climbing gym. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned to climbing outdoors and fell in love with Squamish granodiorite. When she is not working or climbing, she is off in the woods riding her mountain bike.

Jud: Head Coach

Jud(ith) was born in Austria and moved to Canada in 2015. Since the gym opened in Dec 2015, Jud has been working in several departments involving Front Desk, Rec Program, Youth Team and Routesetting. Since 2017, she has been the Head Coach for the competitive youth team and Performance Coach for a variety of climbers that are looking to improve their climbing on a physical-technical-tactical-mental level. With 25+ years of climbing and climbing-specific training experience, as well as competing in her earlier years for the Austrian national team, Jud has a wealth of knowledge that she loves passing on as a coach. She holds a master’s degree for performing arts (music & dance education) which has had a major impact on her coaching style, being methodical and analytical in her approach to help clients to meet their climbing goals.

Gina: Memberships Manager

Gina is the powerhouse behind Ground Up’s memberships, helping keep the backend of the business running smoothly behind the scenes. When she isn’t responding to your emails or making gorgeous spreadsheets, Gina can be found with her mountain bike in the forests of Squamish. 

Alison: Director and Head Route Setter

Alison grew up in Kamloops making her a rare breed, BC born and raised. Alison started climbing at the age of 6 with influence from her father, a mountain guide, and took the sport to an international stage representing Canada at a variety of World Cups in lead, speed, and bouldering. She has worked in a variety of roles in the climbing community, from belayer to assistant manager to routesetter to programs director to gym owner. Alison made the move out to Squamish in May 2021 and has been working at Ground Up since July 2021 and became a part of the new ownership team in April 2023. Alison is also the Head Route Setter at Ground Up! 

When Alison isn’t at Ground Up, you will probably find her romping the trails on her mountain bike, in the boulders, or binging the Bachelorette. Fun fact: Alison held a Canadian speed climbing record until May 2019 of 10.83 seconds!

Laura: Bookings Manager

Laura grew up in Calgary and has loved being outdoors from a very young age. After completing a degree in ecotourism and outdoor leadership, she moved out west to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. Climbing was never on her radar until moving to Squamish in the spring of 2022, as skiing and hiking took priority when she lived near the Rockies. Climbing gave Laura a sense of community and quickly became one of her favorite ways to challenge herself while spending time outdoors. After realizing the impact that climbing and its community had on her, she wanted to pay it forward by providing diverse experiential programs that will support and include every climber at every stage of their journey.

Meris: Program Director

Meris relocated from Ontario to Squamish in 2022. She originally aspired to be a ballet dancer; however, her exposure to new sports during university led her to discover rock climbing in 2015. Meris was inspired by the joy, challenge, and adventure that is inherent in climbing. With her experience pursuing athletics and her degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies, Meris now strives to create inclusive climbing programs where everyone can challenge themselves and feel supported. Outside of Ground Up, Meris is often taking in the beauty of Squamish while running, hiking, or photographing the landscape.

Laura H: Community Liaison

Originally from Leeds UK, Laura found her passion for climbing as a teenager. What started as a hobby, soon became a career: from working as a team member to eventually managing a busy London climbing wall. She moved to Squamish in 2024, drawn in by the world-class bouldering and easy access to the outdoors – a big contrast from London!

Having previously worked in new facilities, she was excited to join the already-thriving Squamish climbing community at Ground Up. Motivated by accessibility and inclusivity, she aims to facilitate ways for climbers to connect and welcome those new to the sport. If you see her at the gym or out bouldering at the Apron, be sure to say hi!

Join Our Team

Ground Up strives to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities and persons with disabilities.

View our current job postings.

 

Front Desk Position

Front Desk Staff champion the art of customer service, flicking the wrist to create latte masterpieces, instructing youth and adult programs, offering belay sessions, and wielding a broom, mop or vacuum to keep our facility looking its best. Our ideal candidate has a profound passion for sharing climbing and fostering community with everyone they meet.

This is a Part-Time Position with potential for 2 to 4 shifts per week. Some evening and weekend availability required. Must be 16 or older to apply.

DUTIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO):

  • Providing exemplary customer service at all times
  • Taking and managing bookings for belay sessions, programs, and events
  • Keeping the facility squeaky clean and looking professional
  • Instructing after-school Youth Programs and belaying for belay sessions
  • Making tea, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and serving snacks from the café
  • Awareness and management of risk inherent to the gym; maintaining and overseeing safe practices in the gym and confidently communicating with customers when safe practices are not being met
  • Supporting customers by matching them with retail products that suit their needs

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

  • You fondly reminisce about your recent job experience in customer service
  • A friendly disposition and teamwork mentality
  • A strong sense of compassion mixed with respect for the rules that protect customers and the business
  • A good sense of risk management inherent to climbing indoors
  • Current Basic First Aid Certificate (Standard/Intermediate First Aid with CPR)

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED:

  • Experience using Rock Gym Pro climbing gym software (desired, not required)
  • Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1 or 2
  • BC FoodSafe certification

PERKS:

  • Membership to Ground Up (for those who work 8 hours a week or more)
  • Great discounts on gear, food and coffee
  • Working with an incredible team of dedicated people whose main goal is to provide an awesome platform for serving and nurturing the Squamish climbing community

COMPENSATION:

Wage will be based on certification and prior experience. A $0.50 raise will be given to all new employees after the 3 month probation period.

Pay: From $18.70 per hour

Application deadline: 2025-07-15

Expected start date: 2025-08-15

SCHEDULE:

1-3 shifts/week to start, with potential for more for after mid-September as we move into our busy Fall/Winter season
Some evening & weekend availability required
Shifts can start as early as 5:45am on weekdays, and end as late as 11pm. Most shifts are 8 hours long.

APPLY HERE: Application Form

Our Partners

We have to take a minute to shout out to our key community partners. Ground Up Climbing would not be possible without the support of
these incredible companies. These companies share our passion for the outdoors, our excitement for rock climbing and our love of Squamish

Proud member and partner of

Proud to Support

We are also proud to support Canadian athletes in collaboration with Canadian Sport Institute.

Interested in partnering with us? Please get in touch!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a short list of frequently asked questions related to rock climbing at Ground Up Climbing Centre.

If your questions are not answered by this list, please reach out to us.

604. 567. 8850

Do I need to sign a waiver?
Yes, Everyone who would like to enter the main space of the facility must sign a waiver and acknowledge the risks and the rules. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this. You can fill it out online before you get here, print off the legal-sized waiver, and bring it to us on your first visit or on one of our tablets in-house.

Youth Policies

All individuals under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their waivers.

Youth 6 and under:
1 adult:1 child supervision ratio is required. The supervisor may not climb and must remain within arm’s reach of the child. Youth in this age range are still developing awareness and the ability to understand potential risks. Kids under 4 climb for free!

Youth 7-11:
1 adult:2 children maximum supervision ratio. We require an adult supervisor to be closely supervising their child(ren). 

All individuals under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their waivers.

What is belaying?
Belaying is a term taken from sailing and in other words means to “hold fast”. However, in rock climbing parlance, it means to manage a rope for a climber using a dynamic friction device. Within our facility, we allow the use of tube belay devices and Gri Gris. In addition, we require the current manufacturer standard for the use of those belay devices. If this is new to you and something you are interested in learning, see our lessons page to learn more. If you are looking to lead climb, you must complete a toprope check and then a lead check. 

How old do I have to be to belay on my own?
In order to belay without adult supervision, individuals must be a minimum age of 14 years old. For lead checks and lead climbing the minimum age is 16 years old. All belayers must pass a belay check.

I already know how to belay. How can my friend learn?

If they are looking to learn to top rope, our Ground School course is a great option! If they are looking to break into lead climbing, our learn-to-lead course is for them. 

Any teaching in the facility must be done by Ground Up ACMG-certified instructors. 

What does a belay check cost?
Belay checks are included with gym pass or membership.

Do I need to bring my rope?
Nope! We provide all of the ropes on site and regularly inspect them.

Do I need to bring my belay device?
You are welcome to use your own certified belay device. Otherwise, we rent GRIGRI’s for $3 and loan out ATC’s in exchange for some collateral (such as a piece of ID)