Our story
Twelve years of turning first-timers into lifetime climbers.
SummitSkills started in 2012 with one bouldering wall, a rack of rental shoes and a simple belief: anyone can climb, if someone teaches them properly. Twelve years and 15,000 lessons later, that belief has built a full gym — 55 ft roped walls, a competition bouldering cave and a youth team that regularly podiums at regional events.
We are still independently owned, still answer our own phone, and still teach every beginner lesson with the same care as the first one. When you climb at SummitSkills, your coach knows your name — and your goals.
- Years coaching
- 12+
- Lessons taught
- 15,000+
- Members coached
- 2,400+
- Average rating
- 4.9/5
What we stand for
The values under every handhold
Four principles that have carried us through a decade of chalk dust, growth spurts and send trains.
Teaching first
We are climbers who became teachers, not teachers who dabble in climbing. Every program is built around learning science, not just wall time.
Every climber welcome
Beginners, families, adaptive athletes, competitors — the gym is for everyone. Our coaches meet you where you are and celebrate your version of a send.
Safety obsession
Certified and background-checked coaches, daily gear inspections, redundant belay systems and a safety culture that is checked, not assumed.
Community roots
USA Climbing member gym since 2013, 486 five-star reviews, and hundreds of kids who found confidence — and friends — on our walls.
The coaches
Meet the team spotting you
Our coaches average eight years with the gym — they know your name, your project and exactly which drill will unstick you.
Riley Vance
Head Coach & Founder — USA Climbing L3, 20 years on the wall
Jordan Ellis
Youth Team Director — former national competitor, certified L2
Sam Okafor
Private Coaching Lead — movement specialist, routesetter
Lena Fischer
Kids' Programs & Camps Director — early-childhood certified
Get started
Climb with a team that knows your name
Join 2,400+ climbers who started here. Book your first lesson today — your coach will be waiting at the door.