CHRISTMAS SPORT CLIMBING
RETREAT (2 WEEKS)
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
- Spanish Limestone
- 19 Dec - 2 Jan
- 2026 - 2027
- ALC
- Nearest Airport
- 5c
- Min. Grade
- €1,690
- Price (2 Weeks)
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
- 5c/6a
- Group Size
- Maximum 12
- Coaches
- Laszlo Juhasz & Petra Pivoňkova & Arturo Aparicio
- Price
- €1,690
Two unforgettable weeks
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.
- Dec€950 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,690 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Jan€950 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Jan€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,990 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Feb€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Mar€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,990 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Apr€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Apr€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,890 per person · coaching & guiding included
- May€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,990 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Jun€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Jul€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,990 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Jul€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Aug€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Sep€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,890 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Oct€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Oct€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
- 2wk€1,890 per person · coaching & guiding included
- Nov€1,090 per person · coaching & guiding included
Real Rock, Real Sunshine
Chalk, Christmas
& Zero Grey Skies
No stock photos, no staged sends — just climbers earning it on winter Costa Blanca limestone.
-1.jpg%3Fv%3Dmumh56lg&w=1920&q=75&dpl=dpl_4WXuiV97xVjkdXpZZ6hGpENfHsbW)
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 two weeks 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.
Coaching on the wall: movement, tactics and head game, with video and photo analysis
Max 7 climbers per coach
1 or 2 weeks: join week 1, week 2 or both
Year-round schedule following the best season of each crag
Available anywhere on request for your group
Stay inside the local climbing community, not an anonymous hotel
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
- 09:00
- Morning Briefing
Crag plan, conditions check, coffee
- 09:30
- Guided Climbing Block
Movement & technique coaching on selected lines
- 13:00
- Crag Lunch & Reset
Quick packed lunch at the crag — short winter days, so no long breaks
- 13:30
- Afternoon Session
Project burns or mileage — your call. We climb until the light goes or your arms give up.
- Sunset
- Pack Down & Return
Back to the villa, gear sorted for tomorrow
- Evening
- 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 | — | ✓ |
- You climb regularly, at least indoors
- You can lead belay safely
- You have a basic single-pitch sport climbing safety base
- Leading yourself is not required: improving your lead is part of the coaching
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
Every camp is led by experienced Rockbusters coaches who climb these crags themselves. They know the sectors and the conditions, and how to coach climbers from first outdoor leads to hard redpoints. The coaches for each camp are listed with its dates.
Climbing instructor & coach
Laszlo Juhasz
I grade a climb by how much I enjoy it – that matters most.
Guide & 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."
Climbing guide & ski teacher
Petra Pivoňkova
Climbing is not a sport, it is much more: nature, van life and lots of great friends.
Performance 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.
Climbing coach
Arturo Aparicio
Even when the mind wants to stop, keep going and stay focused.
DWS & 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.
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 8:1 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
- Local transport (we are happy to organize shared rental cars within the group)
- Flights
- Travel & climbing insurance
- Food & drinks (group dinner can be purchased for €15 per meal)
one week 950€
Climbing shoes *
Reasonably tight, for sport climbing
Harness *
Available on request, ask in advance
Helmet *
Available on request, ask in advance
Belay device with 2 locking carabiners *
Available on request, ask in advance
60 cm sling
Chalk bag
Approach shoes, headlamp, down jacket, rain jacket
Crag backpack
Big enough for lunch, water and gear
Sleeping bag
Needed for some accommodation, we confirm after booking
FAQ
Common Questions
What level do I need to be?
Some outdoor sport climbing experience is expected, with a minimum lead grade of 5c/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 — each week runs individually at current listed price. This page covers the full 2-week Christmas retreat at current listed price; see the schedule above for single-week dates.
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.