Rock Climbing in Squamish
A Socioeconomic Impact Analysis
What is the economic value of climbing in Squamish, and where does it show up?
The answer everyone is waiting for
How much does climbing in Squamish bring to the economy?
This research was made possible by SAS
This study was conducted in 2025 by Larose Research & Strategy with Pacific Analytics, and commissioned by the Squamish Access Society. The full technical report is available at the bottom of this page — skip the infographic and go there now.
The Squamish Access Society is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that commissioned this study to demonstrate the real value climbing brings to our community. By becoming a member or making a donation, you directly support access advocacy, crag stewardship, and independent research like this report.
No rush — we'll remind you at the bottom of the page, don't worry :)
Movement of people
Where climbers come from. Visitors come from near and far. That movement drives spending.
0
total climber days in 2025
A “climber day” is one person climbing on one day. One climber out for five days equals five climber days.
When do they climb?
Estimated monthly distribution of climber days. Peak season runs May through September.
Estimated monthly distribution based on field vehicle count data (Appendix C). Off-season months are conservative estimates.
0%
of climbers come from outside B.C.
- Metro Vancouver 29%
- United States 23.8%
- Squamish 19.7%
- Other Canada outside B.C. 15.1%
- Other 12.4%
0%
of climbing days are from overnight visitors
3 OUT OF 5
resident climbers moved to Squamish because of the climbing
Another 20% said it was a strong motivating factor.
0%
of resident climbers spend more than 30 days a year climbing here
What grade of routes do you typically climb?
Visitor and resident preferences (if routes are available). Sport (YDS) and bouldering (V-scale).
Visitors and residents have similar preferences overall. The most common preference is for moderate routes (5.9–5.10, V2–V5).
The only notable difference: residents have a slight preference for very hard routes (5.12+ or V8+).
The question they were all waiting for…
Sport or Trad or Bouldering?
The eternal climbing debate, finally settled by data.
Photos — Trad: Pavla Breska · Sport: Sebastian Canon · Bouldering: Leonardo Iezzi
Let’s break that down…
And here’s the surprise…
0%
of visitors to Squamish also boulder, far more than most would expect
Squamish is truly remarkable as a climbing destination, with such wide variety of climbs of all types. Maintaining and enhancing access to all categories of climbing is key.
Climber ages
Age distribution by percentage. Visitors skew younger; residents peak in their 30s.
Climber ages skew toward younger cohorts for visitors (most common: 20s) compared with residents (most common: 30s). With 35% of resident climbers over 40, climbing has significant impacts on reducing health care costs through active lifestyles in older demographics.
What gender do you identify as?
Visitor and resident climbers (percentage by group).
Just over half (58%) of climber days were represented by male residents, with 38% female and a further 4% non-binary (1%) or choosing not to state (3%). When frequency of climbing is taken into account, the proportions of unique climbers are almost proportional - males climb more frequently than females, on average.
Visitor spending
Annual direct expenditure on climbing in Squamish, 2025
Direct visitor spending
Visitors spent over $21 million on climbing in Squamish
Annual direct visitor expenditure, 2025
Where it comes from
More than half was from visitors from B.C. and the U.S.
Mostly the Lower Mainland and cross-border travellers
Climbing destination ranking
#1 in Canada
More than any other climbing destination in the country
Annual direct visitor spending on climbing in Squamish — more than any other climbing destination in Canada.
Expand the impact
Climbing expenditures recirculate in the local, regional, and provincial economies. An initial $25.4 million in direct spending cascades outward.
40 years of growth
The first study of climbing in Squamish was published in 1986. The growth since then has been extraordinary.
While the 1986 study lacked the scientific rigor of this analysis, it provides valuable historic context.
Where the money goes
Spending by visitors and residents. Visitor accommodations and food & beverage were the highest expenditures; for residents, climbing equipment and training / gym memberships were the highest.
Visitors · Residents
| Category | Avg / person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodations | $253 | $6,910,244 |
| Food and beverage | $246 | $6,704,133 |
| Local transportation and fuel | $108 | $2,944,835 |
| Climbing equipment, technical gear | $75 | $2,035,825 |
| Other recreation and entertainment | $46 | $1,260,291 |
| Equipment rental and guiding | $29 | $785,334 |
| Shopping (clothing, souvenirs) | $17 | $473,204 |
| TOTALS | $773 | $21,114,000 |
| Category | Avg / person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Climbing equipment, technical gear | $800 | $1,252,752 |
| Training / gym memberships | $602 | $942,684 |
| Local transportation and fuel | $462 | $723,188 |
| Food and beverage (pre/post climb) | $455 | $712,209 |
| Climbing apparel / clothing | $306 | $479,178 |
| Equipment rental and guiding | $84 | $132,010 |
| Accommodations (e.g. B&B, camping) | $44 | $69,698 |
| TOTALS | $2,752 | $4,312,000 |
Total annual direct spending (visitors & residents): $25,400,000
Residents spent an additional $4.3 million on climbing in 2025.
Total direct spending on climbing was $25.4 million in 2025.
Visitor accommodations and food & beverage were the highest expenditures.
For residents, climbing equipment and training / gym memberships were the highest expenditures.
Key findings: visitor satisfaction
How satisfied are visitors and residents with factors related to climbing in Squamish?
Visitors report very high satisfaction with most aspects - variety of routes (91%), overall number of routes (95%), friendliness of the community. Access / signage and parking score in the middle.
Crowded climbs are a moderate problem
Despite over 3,000 routes, crowding is still considered a moderate problem area. “Lack of crowds / ease of getting on routes” is the only factor where a significant share of visitors and residents report being somewhat or very dissatisfied. Residents score it even lower than visitors.
Another reason to maintain broad access to the spectrum of routes in the region.
Lack of crowds / ease of getting on routes
Compared with 91–95% combined satisfaction for variety and number of routes.
Scores for residents were similar but lower across all categories - particularly for crowding.
Key finding
Net Promoter Scores are extraordinary
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) measures how likely people are to recommend an experience. It is the gold standard metric used across tourism and hospitality worldwide.
“Among the highest NPS scores for any activity in any travel destination ever calculated.”
Visitors overwhelmingly recommend Squamish as a climbing destination.
I mean, did you have any doubts?
Look at these moments.
Key findings: resident sentiments on paid parking
Governments in the Sea to Sky are considering parking fees for many climbing areas. If fees were approximately $3/hour or $10/day, how likely would this impact your decision to park and climb in areas with paid parking?
Four out of five resident climbers would climb less
80% of resident climbers indicated they would be very likely to climb less (58%) or somewhat likely (22%) in areas with paid parking. Paid parking would negatively impact climbing participation.
58% would climb far less (75%–100% less) in areas with paid parking.
Residents have suggested free or discounted annual passes for residents, with tourists paying daily or higher rates, as a way to reduce the negative impact on local climbers.
Jobs and taxes
Climbing creates jobs and public revenues. Total tax revenues produced in B.C. from climbing in Squamish was $7.1 million; provincial and federal governments receive 89% of these tax revenues.
0
jobs in Squamish · 214 in B.C.
Where jobs are created
Climbing supports 214 jobs across B.C. Here is which industries benefit most.
Note: Employment distribution from Pacific Analytics Input-Output Model.
$0 Total taxes (B.C. economy)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Jobs in Squamish (direct) | 148 |
| Full-time equivalents (FTE) | 105 |
| Jobs in B.C. (incl. suppliers outside Squamish) | 214 |
| Provincial & federal share of tax revenues | 89% |
Why these numbers are valid
0
surveys · 128 field counts
- Objective, measurable facts through field observations and best practices in recreation impact analysis.
- Pacific Analytics Input-Output model (same as BC Stats and Destination BC) for econometric analysis.
- Spot counts “fit” to a demand curve (seasons, time of day, rain, sampling bias).
- Most comprehensive, valid, and reliable study of climbing in Canada.
Geography
Scope of research. Southern and northern zones.
What area(s) do you typically climb in?
Resident climbers, select all that apply.
Smoke Bluffs
One of the most heavily used climbing areas. Needs: more toilets, better trail maintenance, improved access (Redbridge), and park expansion to protect climbing resources currently outside it.
Murrin Park
Highest resident usage rate of any area, with significant parking challenges. Needs: parking solutions and public transport access.
What this means
Enormous impact.
Climbing has an enormous impact on the Squamish economy, and these impacts extend well beyond the community. The diversity of climbing areas is a defining feature of Squamish and needs to be safeguarded for future generations. This report documents the economic value and where it shows up-in visitor and resident spending, jobs, and tax revenues.
Key findings: concluding comments
Seven recurring themes from research and stakeholder input that demand attention.
Parking management needs and gaps
Issues in areas like Murrin Park, the Smoke Bluffs, The Chief, and Chek. Parking fees (mostly opposition) were one of the most common themes raised by stakeholders.
Land management practices / climbing infrastructure
Need for greater recognition of climber needs (access, trails, facilities) and better management, particularly around informal camping.
Trail garbage / human waste maintenance
Issues with garbage, human waste, and lack of washroom facilities. Mamquam FSR mentioned multiple times by respondents.
Climber safety, etiquette, behaviours
Lack of awareness especially among beginner / novice visitors: crag and access safety, noise pollution (e.g. loud speakers), large groups leaving top ropes up, dogs off leash.
Van camping regulations
Van camping management is needed. Some think it should be curtailed, others think it needs to be permitted and managed. The status quo is not working. Annual passes used in other climbing jurisdictions may be a model.
Climbing route development
Challenges and issues around developing new routes, maintaining existing ones, and balancing growth with conservation in the climbing areas.
Wildlife / environmental impacts
Environmental stewardship could be addressed more formally through education, persuasion, and coordinated management across agencies and user groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO SAS
The Squamish Access Society is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that advocates for climber access, stewards the crags, and funds research like this report. Every dollar goes directly toward protecting climbing areas, maintaining trails, and ensuring Squamish remains a world-class destination for generations to come.