About Steepteam

The Billings Climbing Team is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to providing climbing mentorship and training to Billings area youth interested in improving their climbing skills through practice and competition.



Host Facility: Steepteam currently practices at Steepworld Climbing Gym in Billings Montana, phone (406) 25-CLIMB.  Team members are expected to maintain a membership at the gym while team is in session.  This cost is separate from team fees, their membership rates vary from $35-45 a month.

Gear: All kids are required to have their own gear, this includes shoes and chalk bag for the Winter Competition Session, and a harness and belay device for the Summer session.  Ropes and anchors will be provided by Steepteam for outdoor trips.


Seasonal Structure:  The team works around a three season cycle through the year, a fall-winter session, a spring session and a summer session.


WINTER COMPETITION SESSION:  The Fall Winter Session focuses on indoor competition climbing.  Practices start in early October and run through February.  The team participates in the USA Climbing American Bouldering Series (ABS).  All competitions are bouldering competitions, meaning climbs are 10-15 feet tall and climbers do not use ropes.  Steepteam attends competitions in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and other locations as climbers work their way to the ABS Youth National Championships usually hosted in the front range of Colorado around the end of February.   

HISTORICAL WINTER COSTS:  about $400-450 total for the 4 month Winter session.  The total cost is broken down below.

Gym fees: $135 for a 4 month gym membership.  Annual and family memberships are available.

Competition fees: To be determined. Climbing competitions have entry fees around $25-$45 per competition.  These prices are set by the host gym and cover the costs for routesetters to set and prepare for the comp as well as t-shirts, awards, gym time, etc.

Team Fee: To be determined for the 2017 fall winter session. Fees cover coaches time and travel for 25 practices and competitions, uniforms, insurance, administration, and other necessities needed to run the Steepteam non-profit program. For a historical comparison the 2012 fall session the team costs were $150. This cost may fluctuate in the future dependent with the goals of the program and the number of kids participating.  


SUMMER OUTDOOR SESSION:  When the weather gets nice we focus our attention on creating safe and self reliant outdoor rock climbers.  Practices usually start in May and outdoor trips run throughout the summer.  Outdoor safety techniques are the primary focus of attention.  Younger team members learn the skills of top roping while older team members learn how to sport climb.  We frequent locations like the Rims above Billings, the Pryor Mountains, Cody WY, and Ten Sleep, WY.  We maintain a maximum 4:1 climber to guide ratio on our outdoor trips.

HISTORICAL SUMMER SESSION COSTS:  about $300 total for the Summer Session.

Gym fees: $35 for a 1 month student membership.

Team Fee: $250 estimated for the 2013 summer session.  Fees cover coaches and guides time and travel for practices and outdoor day trips, insurance, gear, administration, and other necessities needed to run the Steepteam non-profit program. This cost may fluctuate in the future dependent with the goals of the program and the number of kids participating.