Do you have a climber in your life? Or are you a climber trying to give your non-climbing friends and family ideas for what to get you? Our Holiday Gift Guide is here to help! This year, we’re also excited to share that early bird pricing for all North Country Climbing summer camps is available through 12/31 — so if a camp experience is on your climber’s wish list, now is the perfect time to sign them up.
Keep reading to see our top recommendations for climbers of all ages and experience levels — all available right here at North Country Climbing.
Gear
Best For: Every Climber Ever
Chalk
Most climbers (about 90%) use chalk constantly and can truly never have too much. We carry Friction Labs Chalk, a high-quality chalk offered in three levels of chunkiness:
- Unicorn Dust – very fine
- Gorilla Grip – medium chunky
- Bam Bam – extra chunky
Chalk is the kind of gift climbers will always use. When in doubt, pick Unicorn Dust — it works for everyone.
Best For: Newer Climbers and Kids
- Chalk (refillable ball)
- Chalk Bag
- Harness
- Belay Device & Carabiner
If your climber is building their gear collection from scratch, these are the essentials.
A refillable chalk ball is one of the best starter items — it helps keep chalk mess to a minimum, lasts a long time, and is easy to refill with loose chalk. Pair it with a chalk bag, something they’ll use every single climbing session.
We offer several chalk bag styles:
- Sleek, durable Black Diamond chalk bags
- Streamlined, quality Petzl chalk bags
- And for the climber who likes a little personality — 8B+ creature chalk bags, complete with fuzzy monsters, goofy teeth, and big personalities. These always get compliments in the gym. (Image: Example of 8B+ chalkbags.)
For rope climbers, a harness is essential. The most common and trusted brands you’ll see are Edelrid, Black Diamond, and Petzl. We carry the Edelrid Jay harness, which is perfect for gym climbing and comfortable for beginners. We also carry excellent Edelrid kids’ harnesses designed for young climbers starting their vertical journey.
Finally, a belay device. We recommend two:
- Edelrid Gigajul – a fantastic all-round device that serves beginners and experienced climbers alike
- Petzl GriGri – an assisted-braking device known for smooth belaying and versatility
Quick reminder: Climbing shoes are not included on purpose. Shoe fit is extremely specific and should always be chosen in person with help from staff.
Best For: More Experienced Climbers
Ask them!
If the climber in your life has been climbing for a while, just ask what they’ve been eyeing. Climbers usually know exactly which piece of gear they want next — and they’ll appreciate you getting that thing rather than guessing.
If you want the gift to be a surprise, choose something like chalk or merch, which will always be used and appreciated.
Merch
Show some North Country Climbing pride with apparel and accessories for climbers of all ages:
- Crewneck
- T-Shirt
- Youth T-Shirt
- Tank Tops
- Beanies
- 5-Panel Hats
Perfect for warming up, cooling down, outdoor & indoor climbing, and representing the community wherever they go. Purchase in person at North Country Climbing!
Indoor Climbing
Give the gift of time on the wall — in whatever way fits your climber’s lifestyle. North Country Climbing offers several membership and pass options, each designed for a different type of climber.
Great for first-time climbers and families! This includes everything you need for a great time climbing: a day pass, full climbing gear rental, and skilled N3C staff provide belays until you and/or your kids can’t lift your arms (or 2 hours, whichever comes first!). Make a reservation or purchase a gift card and recommend the Open Climb Package
Best for students, short-term visitors, and anyone home for the holidays. It’s a flexible, commitment-free way to climb for an entire month and get the full North Country Climbing experience.
Perfect for dedicated indoor climbers who practically live on the wall. This option gives you a whole year of unlimited climbing upfront, ideal for committed athletes or anyone who knows climbing is part of their everyday routine.
A great fit for sporadic or occasional climbers who come in bursts — maybe they climb between seasons, only on bad weather days, or when they’re in town. Punch passes never rush or pressure the user; they simply climb when they want.
Recurring Membership
The best choice for local climbers who want to make North Country Climbing part of their weekly rhythm. It bills monthly, offers unlimited climbing, and provides the consistency that many climbers rely on for training and community. Sign up in person or over the phone.
Adventures, Instruction & Experiences
Our most meaningful gifts — give the climber in your life an unforgettable day out.
Climbers love gear, but what they really treasure are experiences. North Country Climbing offers a range of guided outings and instructional days for all ability levels. Whether your climber is curious about getting outside or ready to push their skills further, these options are incredible gifts:
Guided Outdoor Experiences
- Half-Day Family Intro to Rock Climbing
- Half-Day Guided Rock Climbing
- Full-Day Guided Rock Climbing
- Half-Day Guided Ice Climbing
- Full-Day Guided Ice Climbing
- Custom Climbing Adventure (On Rock or Ice we will help you craft the perfect day!)
Skills & Instructional Days
- Intro to Ice Leading
- Intro to Sport Climbing
- Intro to Trad Climbing
- Intro to Multipitch Climbing
- Advanced Skills Development
Guided days are a perfect fit for climbers looking to try outdoor climbing for the first time, build new skills, or expand their confidence with the support of a professional guide. These days create memories that last far longer than any piece of gear.
Summer Camps
Give the gift of adventure, confidence, and unforgettable summer memories.
North Country Climbing offers a lineup of summer camps designed for young climbers of all ages — from brand-new adventurers to teens ready for their first big walls. These camps make incredible gifts and are some of the most meaningful experiences we offer.
Mighty Minis Camp
Ages: 5–7
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Time: 9am–12pm
Our indoor Mighty Minis camp introduces young climbers to movement, coordination, and confidence on the wall through fun, supportive instruction. Perfect for energetic kids who love to climb anything and everything.
Rock Star Camp
Ages: 8–12
Dates: July 6–10 and August 3–7
Time: 8am–4pm
Rock Star Camp brings climbing outside! Young climbers spend the week exploring real rock, learning about movement, knots, belaying fundamentals, teamwork, and what it means to climb outdoors. This is one of our most popular camps and fills quickly.
Climbing Club Camp
Ages: 13–17
Dates: July 20–24
Time: 8am–4pm
This outdoor-focused camp is designed for teens who want to develop their skills, learn more advanced systems, and spend full days climbing outside. It’s a great next step for youth who want to progress beyond beginner-level climbing.
Multipitch Camp
Ages: 12+
Dates: August 9–14
Format: Overnight
For highly motivated, serious young climbers, Multipitch Camp offers an immersive overnight climbing experience. Campers learn technical systems, multipitch strategy, outdoor skills, and advanced movement while working closely with our guides.
Prerequisites and an application are required before registration approval — this camp is geared toward strong, committed youth climbers ready for the next big challenge.
Gift Cards
Still unsure? A gift card lets your climber choose exactly what they want — gear, merch, memberships, instruction, or guided adventures. Purchase online or in person.
Chalk (Again)
Yes, again. It’s that useful. Climbers will always need more.
Happy Holidays!
No matter who you’re shopping for — the brand-new climber, the outdoor-curious adventurer, the gym regular who knows every hold by name, or the energetic kid who can’t stop scrambling up the furniture — there’s something on this list they’ll be thrilled to unwrap. Our team is always here to help you choose the right gift, answer gear questions, or point you toward your climber’s next great adventure.
Happy holidays from everyone here at North Country Climbing! Let’s make this season full of fun, community, and plenty of time on the wall.