The only place I've bouldered in Switzerland outside is Cresciano in the Tessin region. Fantastic spot almost as good as Fontainbleau just not quite on the same scale. I hear though there are some spots in the vallee d'Arve.

Sam

i know this doesn't answer your question but what is bouldering???

Low height climbing where the number of moves are less than a normal route but generally much harder. It originated from climbers finding stuff to do in the valley when the the weather was too bad for route climbing but has developed massively and is now a big branch of the sport. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouldering

Hi Royce, how was structure? I'm actually heading there this Saturday. I've never done it but something interested in doing.

Its between Structure or VitamParc (structure is just a lot closer since i live in Geneva area).

Thanks for the info Sam - I'd heard about the vallee de l'arve as well.  Do you have any idea where I could find more information about bouldering there?  Most of the guidebooks I've heard seem to focus exclusively on the routes.

And Naurin, Structure is great!  Laidback, fun place.  For your first time climbing though, the wall's will probably seem a bit high - but they've got really big pads, and some good stuff for those just starting off.

Unfortunately my info is a bit vague and it doesn't seem a guide exists. I am due to go boulder searching with a buddy on the Saleve, I'll send an update if we find anything!

Thanks Royce. Sorry to pick your brains, but do you know if I should be prepared with certain kind of gears? or know anything before going into this. I'm taking a course there.  For a girl who is never done something like this, its quite an adventure, but I feel quite ignorant.

The joy of bouldering is you need very little gear, indoors just climbing shoes and chalk. Outdoors you need a bouldering mats to absorb the falls and ideally some knowledge about how to catch your partners falls safely.

Thanks Sam! i'm very excited.

Hi all - apologies for gatecrashing this thread, but after a winter of ski I am intrigued to find out more about this predominantly male past-time in the great outdoors and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where I can try it out/take a beginners`course in climbing in or aorund Geneva? Thanks!

hi Elmear, along with Royce, I also heard from others that structure is fairly good (I'm going back to Houston in a day for will go to the class there...much much cheaper of course).

Also, i'm a female entering into this male past time :)

Hiya Royce,

The Saleve (20 mins from GVA) has a wide range of climbing routes (from single pitches to big wall multipitches, including some hellish ones...). At the base of the rockband (5 minutes from where you park the car, on the left, before you enter the woods) there are a few boulders. Some are even bolted at the top if you go with a partner. 

Look up Collonges sur Saleve on google maps, then locate Le Coin. The parking I'm talking about is some 500 metres north from Le Coin following the road.

Enjoy!

Piero

Any luck finding anything?

I think Piero is right about there being a few boulders at Le Coin -- I've walked past them on the way up to the cliffs above -- but I've never stopped to check them out.

Quite keen to have a look this Saturday if anyone is interested.

Piero - thanks very much for the tip!

And yeh, benb, I'd be very keen for this Saturday - count me in.  Let me know what you're thinking.

Hey all, I'm a novice climber looking to get into bouldering. I've started a group for Geneva Rock Climbers (and Boulderers) and anyone that would like to join is quite welcome. Hopefully we can get together and organize some activities, either on a rock wall or a local rock face. 

Since I'm relatively new to this, I have to ask: what gear will I need for bouldering, and does anyone know where I can get some quality gear in Geneva or neighboring France? 

Hey all, just wanted to let you know I got the group up and running. All are welcome to join. Let's get some activities organized!

http://www.glocals.com/groups/geneva/geneva-rock-climbing-group.htm

Looking on the Saleve didn't reveal much. Not interesting and difficult to protect climbers safely.

BUT found a great place near Martigny, about 1H30min from Geneva. At about 1200m altitude so ideal for the summer when other places are too hot to climb. It is known as there were other climbers there but still feels quite rarely visited, we found 10-12 good blocs with ease and there looks like a lot more with time to explore. It does need time to dry out though, I was there a month ago and some areas were too damp and with the rain we've had it needs a while, an August trip?!

Sam