Head Route Setter

Climb Yukon Association; Whitehorse; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Climb Yukon Collective in Whitehorse, Yukon is seeking a Head Route Setter for its first large-scale indoor climbing facility. This contract/full-time position leads the route-setting team, designs high-quality routes, and drives safety and community engagement.

You will oversee a setting rotation, mentor staff and volunteers, and collaborate with management on long-term route-setting strategies. The role demands strong climber movement knowledge and leadership in a gym setting.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of commercial routesetting experience.
• Leadership or management experience in a climbing gym setting.
• Strong understanding of climbing movement and training principles.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to lift holds/volumes and work at heights with PPE.
• Valid first aid and CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Design, set, and forerun high-quality boulder/top rope and lead climbs for various levels.
• Maintain a balanced setting schedule with diverse grades and styles.
• Implement creative setting techniques including competition-style routes.
• Inspect and maintain holds, volumes, equipment, and wall surfaces for safety.

Skills

Routesetting experience

Leadership

Communication

Movement understanding

Physical fitness

First aid/CPR

Team collaboration

Tools

Power tools

Job description

• Location: Climb Yukon Collective, Whitehorse, YT
• Employment type:Contract/ Full Time (40 hr per week)
• Salary: $55 - $75k annually based on Experience
• Application deadline: July 1 or until filled

Are you stoked on climbing? Are you passionate about community, collaboration, and working alongside other like-minded people? We’re looking for a professional, experienced, and personable individual to join our team as Head Route Setter at northern Canada’s first large-scale indoor climbing facility!

We are looking to grow a strong setting team and are supportive of professional development and comp setting outside of the territory.

Key Responsibilities

Route Setting & Gym Experience

• Design, set, and forerun high-quality boulder/top rope and lead climbs catering to various skill levels and movement styles.
• Maintain a consistent and engaging setting schedule, ensuring a balance of grades and styles.
• Implement creative and innovative setting techniques, including both traditional and competition-style routes/problems.
• Regularly inspect and maintain climbing holds, volumes, associated equipment and wall surfaces for quality and safety.
• Gather feedback from the climbing community and adjust settings to improve the overall gym experience.

Leadership & Team Management

• Recruit, train, and lead a team of route setters, fostering a positive and productive setting culture.
• Organize and oversee part-time setters and volunteers to maintain a consistent rotation of routes/problems.
• Train, and provide mentorship, and professional development opportunities for floor staff and volunteers involved in setting.
• Collaborate with management on long-term route-setting strategies and vision.

Safety & Maintenance

• Enforce proper safety practices related to route setting, including personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and risk management protocols.
• Ensure compliance with industry safety standards for climbing gym operations.
• Conduct routine inspections to address spinning holds, structural integrity, and general maintenance.
• Oversee inventory management for holds, tools, and setting equipment.

Program Coordination and Events

• Be an approachable and active leader within the Climb Yukon Collective community.
• Work alongside management and the board of directors to plan and facilitate gym competitions, events, and member engagement activities.
• Lead and work alongside management to coordinate and implement gym based clinics, classes, and special booking groups.
• Coordination and implementation of facility clinics, camps, school groups, and bookings.
• Represent Climb Yukon Collective in the local climbing scene and encourage community involvement.

Qualifications

Required:

• Priority given to those with 3-5+ years of commercial routesetting experience.
• Experience in a leadership or management role within a climbing gym setting.
• Ability to set efficiently while maintaining high-quality routes.
• Strong understanding of climbing movement, techniques, and training principles.
• Physical capability to lift holds/volumes, operate power tools, and work at heights on a man lift or on ropes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Valid first aid and CPR certification

Preferred:

• Familiarity with smaller gym cultures and community-driven climbing spaces.
• Competition route-setting experience (routes and boulders).
• Ability to climb V8 and lead 5.12.
• Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Climbing Gym Instructor (CGI) level 1 or 2.