Winter climbing
Petra cliffs indoor climbing gym offers winter escape

Robert Zodda | staff writer
rzodda@smcvt.edu

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder.  With fewer daylight hours Vermonters are enjoying the last of the nice weather.  However, as winter fast approaches, some locals are searching for a place where they can continue their favorite activity, rock-climbing.  

Indoor Fun

Climbers scale the indoor walls at Petra Cliffs. Robert Zodda, photo

Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School, located in South Burlington has been in business since 2000.  The 8,500 square foot facility can accommodate rock climbers of all levels, and includes a lead cave, an upstairs bouldering area and a ropes course.

“Our facility is built by climbers,” says Dave Vuono, manager and instructor at Petra Cliffs.  “There are routes for all ages and abilities.  We provide an open environment to learn and play.”

Petra Cliffs offers climbing classes in its gym.  The facility’s instructors teach courses on basic skills, advanced techniques, and everything in between. 

Aside from local college students, Vuono says that Petra Cliffs attracts
younger crowds as well.  He explains that the indoor ropes course is good for team building skills and is popular with local schools. 

Upping the ante

After changing ownership two years ago, Petra Cliffs has gone through several internal changes. 

“The building is the same, but we have made some changes to our infrastructure, like a new computer system,” says Mike Anderson, executive director. “Also, our programs have expanded. We added the ropes course and a summer camp program.” 

According to Anderson, the changes were made to give patrons the best environment and experience possible.  He is striving for improvement and hopes to increase profit margins as well, he says. 

There are several walls to climb inside the gym. Robert Zodda, photo

Petra Cliffs has also increased the number of outdoor excursions that they lead.  Caving and rock climbing are some of the most popular activities they offer, Vuono says.  However, Petra Cliffs offers numerous winter outings as well.  Such diversions include snow shoeing and ice climbing.

Petra Cliffs employees guide ice climbing trips in the Adirondacks and Huntington Ravine in Mount Washington, N.H.  Special trips are offered just for women as well.   Smugglers' Notch provides the best area for beginners, Vuono says. 

“Back country skiing is somewhat new.  We launched it two years ago.  The Bolton back country is perfect for skiing and ice climbing,” he says.

The Petra Cliffs Web site says that its Level 1 Course offers a thorough introduction to “avalanche occurrence, avalanche terrain, decision-making, and rescue.”


According to Vuono, these expeditions are led by trained professionals. 

“We have 10 top-notch guides and instructors,” he says. 

St. Michael’s Wilderness Program

As some people know, St. Michael's offers its own wilderness program, which is quite popular.  Backpacking, climbing, and kayaking trips are all led by trained guides.  There is also a practice climbing wall in the Ross Sports Center on campus. 

A young climber navigating the rock wall. Robert Zodda, photo

There are about 19 trained guides in the St. Michael’s wilderness program.  Excursions are usually in small groups with one guide for every three participants. 

According to Todd Wright, the director of the St. Michael’s wilderness program, Petra Cliffs has a better variety of climbing walls in its gym than the wall in the Ross Sports Center on campus.

“Our climbing wall doesn’t touch the quality of the indoor cliffs.  They have an actual indoor climbing center.  Their routes are well-established and well-maintained,” he says. 

Wright says that Petra Cliffs has a great indoor facility and is ideal for
practice. 

However, he does not advise that St. Michael’s students look to Petra Cliffs for outdoor excursions. 

“St. Mike’s students would gain absolutely nothing from their trips.  We offer the exact same programs, in house, for one-tenth their price,” Wright says.             

Wright says that Petra Cliffs is a great facility for the general public.

“We attract all types of people,” Vuono says.  “The school year brings in a lot of students, but we also get a lot of families, people who heard about us through friends.  We attract everyone. People get hooked and want more instruction.”