CHRISTMAS SPORT CLIMBING
RETREAT
Wake up. Climb. Repeat. While the rest of Europe shivers through another grey Christmas, you'll be chalking up under blue Costa Blanca skies on perfect winter limestone.
- Sella
- Christmas Retreat
- 19 December 2026 – 2 January 2027
- 14 Days
- 5+/6a
- Min. Lead Grade
- 3
- Min. Participants
- €1,690
- Price
Imagine waking up on Christmas morning not to wrapping paper and holiday chaos, but to Spanish sunshine and the quiet anticipation of a full day of climbing ahead. This is a deliberate choice to invest in your passion while everyone else is stuck in holiday routines.
Costa Blanca's winter climate holds a comfortable 15–20°C through December, with over 2,000 routes within a short radius of Sella's sun-warmed sectors. Technical face climbing, stamina-testing overhangs, and the Mediterranean glinting below — all while your friends back home post photos of grey skies.
Two weeks of structured coaching often does more for your climbing than months of solo sessions. Come back to our climber-friendly villa each evening for authentic Spanish food, fireside stories, and planning tomorrow's conquests.
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Location
- Sella
- Min. Lead Grade
- 5+/6a
- Group Size
- Maximum 12
- Coaches
- Laszlo Juhasz & Petra Pivoňkova & Arturo Aparicio
- Price
- €1,690
One unforgettable week
Costa Blanca, Spain
Some outdoor experience needed
Max 7:1 coach ratio
Coach may vary by date
See dates and pricing for available options.
Other Dates
This Course Travels
Sport Climbing Course runs year-round across several destinations. This page covers the Christmas retreat in Sella — here's everywhere else it's happening.
- 2wk€1,890
- Sep€1,090
- Oct€1,090
- Dec€950
- 2wk€1,690
- Jan€950
- Jan€1,090
- 2wk€1,990
- Feb€1,090
- Mar€1,090
- 2wk€1,990
- Apr€1,090
- Apr€1,090
- 2wk€1,890
- May€1,090
- 2wk€1,990
- Jun€1,090
- Jul€1,090
- 2wk€1,990
- Jul€1,090
- Aug€1,090
Real Rock, Real Sunshine
Chalk, Christmas
& Zero Grey Skies
No stock photos, no staged sends — just climbers earning it on winter Costa Blanca limestone.
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The Winter-Weary Climber
You're tired of holiday chaos and grey skies. Comfortable temperatures, blue sky, and 2,000+ routes sound like a much better use of your time off.
The Grade-Chaser
You've got some outdoor mileage under your belt and want to actually transition your gym strength into real outdoor technique, with structured coaching behind it.
The Tradition-Rewriter
You won't remember another turkey dinner, but you will remember topping out your hardest route yet with the Mediterranean sparkling below. New holiday tradition, unlocked.
Technique
- Choosing & caring for gear that keeps you alive
- Movement skills & efficient footwork
- Perfect balance over your centre of gravity
- Overhang tricks: side-stepping, drop knee, flagging, heel hooking
- Cleaning anchors — keeping all your gear
Mental Game
- Basic understanding of outdoor risks
- Climbing calls & communication that get your message across
- Redpoint & onsight attempts on new climbs
- Personalized coaching to break through mental barriers
- Reading routes to tackle new climbs more easily
Tactics
- Belaying & lead belaying, catching falls dynamically
- Setting up top-ropes
- Clipstick timing & pre-clipping the first draw
- Efficient anchor cleaning & gear retrieval
- Long-term progression beyond the retreat
- 08:30
- Morning Briefing
Crag plan, conditions check, coffee
- 09:30
- Guided Climbing Block
Movement & technique coaching on selected lines
- 13:00
- Crag Lunch & Reset
Packed lunch, rest, tactics chat with your coach
- 14:30
- Afternoon Session
Project burns or mileage — your call
- 18:00
- Pack Down & Return
Back to the villa, gear sorted for tomorrow
- 20:00
- Dinner & Debrief
Spanish food, fireside stories, tomorrow's plan
| What's Included | 1 Week See dates & pricing | 2 Weeks See dates & pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Climbing days | 6 | 12 |
| Individualized coaching & guiding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safety equipment & gear | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shared accommodation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Time for grades to actually stick | — | ✓ |
Sella, Costa Blanca, Spain
The Venue
One of Europe's few genuinely reliable winter climbing destinations — comfortable 15–20°C temperatures through December, over 2,000 routes within a short radius, and quick approaches that keep the climbing time maximized.
Sella's diverse sectors run from technical face climbing to stamina-testing overhangs, all with the Mediterranean glittering somewhere in the background of nearly every route.
- Nearest Airport
- Alicante
- Rock Type
- Limestone
- Climate in December
- 15–20°C
- Style
- Technical faces & stamina overhangs
Your Coaching Team
World-Class Coaches
Laszlo Juhasz
Meet guideGuide & Coach
Climbing since he was 16 in Hungary, Laszlo has since traveled widely, from alpine peaks to the big walls of Yosemite. He's coached and instructed for over a decade, and says simply: "I prefer to grade it as I enjoy it."
Petra Pivoňkova
Meet guidePerformance Coach
Petra didn't discover climbing until she was 25, but swapped the Czech Republic for Spain and never looked back. In winter she teaches skiing in the Sierra Nevada, and the rest of the year she's based near Rodellar, climbing and coaching.
Arturo Aparicio
Meet guideDWS & Performance Coach
Arturo found climbing after years of surfing in Tenerife, and never looked back. These days he lives out of his van around Sella, chasing new projects and bringing that same easygoing energy to coaching.
Results
What Past Climbers Say
I spent Christmas in a t-shirt watching my friends post photos of snow and traffic. Sent my hardest route on New Year's Eve. Not going back to a normal Christmas after this.
Two weeks with the same coach meant real feedback that actually built on itself day to day. I left climbing noticeably more efficiently than I arrived.
Fireside dinners after a full day on the wall, with people who understood exactly why I'd rather be here than at a family dinner. Best holiday decision I've made.
Accommodation & Logistics
We Sorted the Boring Bits
Accommodation
Shared accommodation in a local climbing cottage run by local climbers. A private room is possible if arranged ahead, for an extra charge.
Getting There
Fly into Alicante for both arrival and departure. We're happy to help coordinate shared rental cars within the group.
Gear
All safety equipment provided — ropes, draws, helmets, slings. Bring your own shoes and harness if you have preferences; we've got spares if you don't.
Group Size
up to 12 participants, max 7:1 coach ratio. Minimum 3 to run the retreat — otherwise we offer an equivalent alternative or a full refund.
What's Included
Full Package
- Individualized coaching — technical, mental, and tactical
- Guiding & local knowledge — routes picked for your grade
- Climbing safety equipment — ropes, draws, helmets, slings
- Shared basic accommodation — local climbing hosts
Not included
- Transportation, local transportation
- Accommodation of any higher standards
- Climbing and travel insurance
- Food & drinks
FAQ
Common Questions
What level do I need to be?
Some outdoor sport climbing experience is expected, with a minimum lead grade of 5+/6a. This retreat suits climbers looking to transition gym strength into real outdoor technique.
Do I need my own gear?
Bring climbing shoes and a harness you trust. We provide belay devices, helmets, and slings, plus a full kit list once you book (down jacket, headlamp, sleeping bag, backpack).
Is food included?
Food arrangements and any included meals are confirmed before departure.
Can I book just one week?
Yes — you can book a single week or the full 2-week Christmas retreat. See the dates above for all options and prices.
What if fewer than 3 people book?
We need a minimum of 3 participants to run the retreat. If numbers don't add up, we'll offer an equivalent (or better) alternative, or a full refund. No hard feelings.
Where do I fly in and out of?
Alicante International Airport, for both arrival and departure.
Reserve Your Place
Ready to Skip the Turkey?
Spaces fill fast for this one — a lot of climbers have the same idea about spending Christmas outdoors. Secure your spot now, or drop us a line first if you've got questions.
Questions first? Email info@rockbusters.net or catch us on WhatsApp — we reply fast.