Vertical Ventures in St. Pete is offering one of the best Black Friday deals in town, perfect for climbers of all levels. Located at 116 18th Street South, this local favorite has unveiled an epic sale, including two weeks of unlimited climbing for just $25.
The sale runs through December 1 and features options for everyone—from beginners to seasoned climbers. Whether you’re interested in intro courses, visit packages, or full annual memberships, these deals are hard to beat, with discounts ranging from 30% to 50%. Now’s the time to grab your gear and belay on.
If you’re new to climbing, their $25 Intro to Ropes course (regularly $50) is an excellent starting point. You’ll learn everything you need to know to climb on your own at the gym. Plus, after completing the course, you’ll enjoy two weeks of unlimited climbing. Go once or twice a day—it’s a great way to kick-start your fitness resolutions before the New Year.
For returning climbers, three additional deals make this Black Friday sale even sweeter. Snag five visits for $70 (regularly $90), 10 visits for $120 (regularly $170), or an annual membership for $680 (regularly $960). All passes include rental gear, never expire, and can even be shared with family and friends.
These passes also make fantastic holiday gifts. They’re flexible, shareable, and perfect for creating memorable experiences with loved ones. Visit verticalventures.com for details or head to the gym in person to take advantage of this climbing extravaganza.
Make rock climbing your New Year’s resolution
As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to focus on being active, staying social, and challenging yourself with new experiences. Vertical Ventures in St. Pete offers all of that and more, making it an ideal spot to kick-start your fitness goals. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just a little rusty, this climbing gym is the place to learn the ropes and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded adventurers.
One of the best ways to get started is with their Intro To Rope Climbing course. If you’ve ever loved scrambling over rocks on trails but haven’t tried rope or indoor climbing, this class is perfect. It’s how I first fell in love with climbing after moving to St. Pete. This one-hour session with a professional coach teaches all the essentials of using ropes and climbing safely. By the end of the class, you’ll be ready to tie in and climb on your own every day.
The best part? Your $50 class fee includes two full weeks of unlimited access to the gym, complete with rental gear. As soon as your training is done, you can climb every day, stay as long as you’d like, and hone your skills. It’s a no-pressure way to see if climbing is the right fit for you.
While the Intro to Ropes course is great for individuals, I took the class with friends for a birthday celebration. Learning together made it even more fun, and the two weeks of climbing that followed were a fantastic way to bond and stay active. At just $50, it’s not only a great way to try something new but also one of the most memorable gifts I’ve ever given.
Learn more and sign up for the intro class here.
Vertical Ventures is a community pillar in St. Pete
Since opening in 2015 at 116 18th Street South, Vertical Ventures has become a cornerstone of St. Pete, helping locals reach new heights—both literally and figuratively. While the facility is renowned for its top-notch indoor climbing gym, its contributions to the community and the city’s growth over the past decade make it a true hidden gem.
Beyond the echoes of “on belay!” throughout the gym, Vertical Ventures offers an impressive range of features that extend far beyond climbing. Their “off the wall” training facility area is one of the best-kept secrets in town, equipped with machines, treadmills, free weights, kettlebells, rowers, assault bikes, and more. For climbers looking to level up their skills, the climbing-specific training equipment is second to none. Plus, drop-ins are welcome—no membership required.
Fitness enthusiasts can also take advantage of group strength training classes and well all-levels yoga sessions offered four times a week. These classes are free for members, but here’s a pro tip: a single yoga class ticket includes a full day of access to the climbing gym. It’s the ultimate combo of stretching, strengthening, and scaling, and we highly recommend giving it a try.
Vertical Ventures is a Tampa Bay institution
As the St. Pete location approaches its 10th anniversary, Vertical Ventures is also celebrating nearly 30 years of climbing history in Tampa Bay. The company began in 1996, founded by the legendary Phil Yost in Tampa. A decade later, longtime climbers Hal and Christian took over, remodeling the gym themselves while preserving its fun-driven spirit. Their updates transformed the facility into a family-friendly space, elevating both the atmosphere and the offerings. Today, Kelly Jackson serves as Managing Partner, continuing the tradition of leadership and innovation.
In 2015, Vertical Ventures expanded with the opening of the St. Pete gym, a full-service climbing facility roughly four times the size of the Tampa location. This massive space allowed the team to fulfill their vision, introducing lead climbing, fitness classes, group activities, community outreach, and private event hosting—all while creating a welcoming environment for climbers of all levels.
Today, Vertical Ventures remains a shining example of the community spirit that defines St. Pete. While the city evolves, this locally owned business stays true to its mission: to “create transformative experiences, inspire personal growth, cultivate friendships, and build a community for all through rock climbing.”
Learn more about Vertical Ventures at verticalventures.com, and stay connected by following them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
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