Big success in other cities: Boulders are opening a huge climbing park in Aalborg

Everyone knows what it means to play football, handball, or badminton.

But over the past few years, a slightly more niche sport has exploded in Aalborg.

Climbing.

At the end of October, the chain Boulders will open its first indoor climbing park in Aalborg, while Aalborg Climbing Club is also busy setting up a new location at Eternitten.

So, in a short time, the city will gain two large new halls to climb in.

In other words, the passion for scaling walls via tiny holds is booming in Aalborg.

Huge potential in Aalborg

“When we moved to Annebergvej seven years ago, we had 230 members.

When we reached 700, we had to stop new registrations, but as the waiting list grew too long, we slowly reopened.

Now we have 900 members, and with another hall on the way at Eternitten, we’ve fully reopened for new members,” says Vibeke Rødsgaard-Mathiesen, chair of Aalborg Climbing Club.

In just 14 days, the club will be joined by the nationwide chain Boulders, which has also spotted the great potential in Aalborg.

They’re opening a bouldering hall at Skjernvej 4A in Aalborg East on October 30.

“Our members have long requested a location in Aalborg, and now we’ve found a great space for it,” says Ole Mørk, CEO of Boulders.

Although the two are technically competitors, there’s no rivalry — quite the opposite. Both see a big opportunity to collaborate and strengthen Aalborg’s climbing community.

“The more climbing options in the city, the better,” they agree.

“We also have good cooperation with climbing associations in other cities. We coordinate with them before holding major events so they don’t clash with local ones — and I’m sure we’ll do the same with Aalborg Climbing Club,” explains Ole Mørk.

Boulders currently has 10 gyms across Denmark, and the Aalborg hall will be number 11.

Two different concepts – one shared passion

At Aalborg Climbing Club on Annebergvej, you can practice both rope climbing and bouldering — climbing without ropes on shorter walls with padded floors.

While the club is volunteer-driven and operates as a non-profit association, Boulders is a commercial chain with employees.

Yet, community remains at the core of both.

“We see many people form friendships in our gyms. Some meet weekly, climb, play chess, study, then climb again. It’s wonderful to see how Boulders creates community among users,” says Ole Mørk.

The same spirit thrives at Aalborg Climbing Club:

“Our foundation is volunteer work. Our instructors help everywhere, which benefits both the club and the members — and it’s a reward in itself to contribute voluntarily,” says Vibeke Rødsgaard-Mathiesen.

A few years ago, the club launched ‘Solsikkeklatring’ — “Sunflower Climbing” — a Tuesday morning program for vulnerable children and youth who, for various reasons, are out of school or work.

The club also organizes trips abroad, communal dinners, game nights — and anything members wish for.

“Recently someone suggested a creative night where we sew our own chalk bags — so that’s what we’re doing,” says Vibeke with a smile.

From young men to a community across generations

The stereotypical climber — a young man in his 20s — is also changing. Today, children, women, and older adults are joining in, both at the club and the commercial gym.

Vibeke herself started climbing at 58, after receiving a climbing session as a birthday gift from her children.

“We have kids, teenagers, and seniors. We also have many university students and a large international crowd — we welcome everyone. We even have a U19 girl who just came back with a great fourth place at the Danish Championships,” she adds.

A playground where you just “hang around”

The growing popularity of climbing comes as no surprise to either Ole or Vibeke.

“A climbing gym is a playground — we can have fun while challenging ourselves and training the whole body. It’s both tough and enjoyable, and there’s such a strong sense of community,” says Vibeke.

“A fitness center is a place you go to train and then go home. Here, you stay and hang out,” adds Ole.

Whether Aalborg’s climbing scene will be “full” with two new halls — or continue to grow — remains to be seen.

But one thing’s certain:

If you’ve ever wanted to try this fast-growing sport, there’s never been a better time to do it in Aalborg.