Climb for Wilderness is Alberta Wilderness Association's annual fund-raising event held at the Calgary Tower. People pay a registration fee and collect sponsorship money which allows them the unique opportunity to climb the 802 stairs inside the Calgary Tower. Climbers can climb once or multiple times during a five-hour period. The money goes towards wilderness protection in Alberta. It is a great opportunity to get some exercise, to learn about environmental work in Alberta, and to have a lot of fun!
What is the Run for Wilderness?
Run for Wilderness is the race component of the Climb for Wilderness. It involves running a 1 km track around the Calgary Tower block and then racing up the 802 stairs to the top of the Tower. The race starts at 8:00 AM sharp and all runners start at the same time. Racers' times are logged and posted.
I am registered for the race; can I pick up my bib on the morning of the race?
No, in order to provide electronic timing of the event we need to have you registered with your bib number assigned and picked up prior to the morning of the race. Please see the list of pre-registration and package pick up times.
How many stairs does the Calgary Tower have?
802
How long will it take a person with an average fitness level to climb the Calgary Tower?
Approximately 20 minutes. People really into fitness should check out the records page.
How many calories do you burn climbing the tower?
Because of the way our bodies burn calories, the answer depends on how much you weigh, and how quickly you climb. A 70 kg person who climbs the tower in 20 minutes will burn approximately 210 kCal. Once you have climbed the tower, you can come back to this site and use the calculator below to determine how many calories you burned:
Weight: lbs kg
Time taken to climb (in minutes):
Is it dark in the stairwell?
No, the stairwell in the Calgary Tower is very well lighted.
Are there any windows in the staircase?
None, but there are lots of good views from the top. Also, the participants in AWA's mural competition have been hard at work over the last several years turning the stairwells into Calgary's largest art gallery.
How many people climb the Calgary Tower each year at this event?
More than 1,200 climbers and runners participate annually.
Can a group of people participate in the Climb for Wilderness?
Yes, climbers of any age may participate in teams of four for the team challenge. Individuals who are part of a group (for example, a school class) can register online and plan to meet and climb together.
We love to have photos of groups submitted for web posting! Just email your photos to awa.c4w@shaw.ca and we will be happy to host them for you.
If I pre-register, can I bring more pledges on the day of the climb?
Yes, absolutely!
Do I get a tax receipt if I sponsor myself?
Yes, for any amounts over and above the entrance fee.
I am under 18, do I need to bring a parent to sign the waiver?
Yes, climbers under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver prior to climbing. Waivers of liability can also be completed online when you register. Climbers under 12 years of age are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult during the climb.
Will my sponsors get a tax receipt for their donation?
Yes, tax receipts are issued for any sponsorships of $20 or more.
What are the funds I raised used for?
All funds go directly to protecting wilderness and wildlife in Alberta. Check out the Alberta Wilderness Association website to learn about work done throughout Alberta.
Are there age restrictions for the Climb and Run For Wilderness event?
No, this event is open to everyone. Check out the photo gallery and see for yourself.
What ages are the youngest and oldest climbers?
This changes over time but you can check out the current records page for details.
What was the hardest way to climb?
By wheelchair, but it has been done!
Can our team pick up their package on the day of the climb?
Yes, you can come to the registration area on the morning of the climb; however, if you want to avoid the line-ups we recommend pre-registration and package pick-up prior to the climb day. In either case, you do still need to pre-register so that we can have your package ready for the day of the climb.
Can we have more than four people on our team?
No, but you can have fewer. We keep team size to a maximum of four to make it fair for all competing for prizes, both for multiple climbs and for fundraising.
Could a person who received pledges for $30 climb the tower once?
Yes, you can once. However the $30 sponsorship will be treated as a registration fee, and the sponsor will thus be ineligible to receive a tax receipt, as per Canada Revenue Agency regulations.
If I registered to climb the Tower once and now want to climb it again, what do I pay?
Unlimited Climbs cost $100.00 for adults, $75.00 for 15 to 18 year olds and $50.00 for those under 14 years old. All climbs will cost $30.00 each until you reach this amount.
My family and friends want to welcome me when I get to the top, but they don't want to climb. How do they get up?
They will have to go to the Calgary Tower admission desk to buy a regular tourist pass and go up the elevator. Admission rates are posted on the Calgary Tower website.
Is there a place where I can sit and wait for family and friends as they climb the Tower?
There are chairs available by the stage.
Is there a team meeting place?
The meeting place is by the stage on the main mall level.
Are any snacks or nutrition available?
Fresh fruit (bananas, oranges, etc.) is available for purchase, as are granola bars and energy bars. A limited supply of bottled water is available, although we do encourage climbers to bring their own. There is also a convenience store open in the tower mall that sells a range of snacks and food items.
Is there any storage space for my belongings?
There is a small coat check area, however space is very limited, so it is only suitable for clothing, not backpacks or other bulky items. Using the coat check is done at your own risk; AWA can take no responsibility for items left.
Do we walk back down, or take the elevator?
The choice is yours – you can either walk back down the stairs, or take the elevator, as you prefer.
Can I send you a team photo to put on our team webpage?
Absolutely! If you have photos, or any other information, that you would like posted to the Climb for Wilderness webpages, please attach it in an email to awa.c4w@shaw.ca.
We are coming from out of town; are there any hotels in the area?
There are many hotels in the downtown Calgary area.
I am racing and climbing competitively: can I count the race as one of my multiple climbs?
No, the two events are separate and to the counts cannot be combined.
I am hoping to compete for a "most climbs" prize. How are my multiple climbs recorded?
Your name will appear on a board beside the start gate, and a tally of your climbs will be incremented by a designated staff every time you pass by on the way into the tower. It is your responsability to ensure that your name is on the board, and that you are checked off every time you pass by.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Event Times
All runners and climbers start at the base of the Calgary Tower
at their designated times:
Racers