20 Things You Need to Know Before Climbing Toronto's CN Tower

Advice and Hacks for the CN Tower Climb, Toronto Canada

Climbing Toronto's CN Tower: Answers to All Your Questions

Here are 20 things you need to know before climbing Toronto's CN Tower.

What happens on the event day?

Tips, Tricks, Advice, and Hacks for Climbing Toronto's CN Tower

1. Would I be welcome at this event? Both charity events are open to everyone over the age of twelve, and participants come from a wide range of age groups, cultural backgrounds, orientations, and fitness levels. In my experience, during the climbs there is a very positive, inclusive, and encouraging vibe. The stairs are well lit, and there are plenty of volunteers on hand to ensure the tower is a safe space for everyone. The oldest person to complete the climb was 92 years old, so if you think you've got what it takes, you're more than welcome to step up!

2. Do I need to train? While the CN Tower Climb can be completed by participants with a wide range of fitness levels, a little cardiovascular training always helps. For example, walking around the neighborhood, practicing on an outdoor staircase, or using the stairwell in your condo tower or office building are great ways to prepare. In addition, you can also participate in other events, like the Bruce Trail's 'Steeltown Stomp' hike which involves climbing up and down approximately 2,000 steps on the Niagara Escarpment, as well as hiking over 23 km in the Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail. Moreover, training not only strengthens your muscles and cardiovascular system, it also helps you break in or test out your footwear, make any necessary wardrobe adjustments, and perfect your stair climbing technique.

Pro Tip: Remember to train for endurance not necessarily speed. No matter where you train, if you do 1,1776 steps, your practice time will be longer than on the event day, because you'll have to go climb back down as well as up.

3. What should I wear? As the saying goes, dress for success, and this certainly applies to the CN Tower climb. Remember, this is an athletic event, not a night out clubbing. Therefore, wearing the correct footwear like runners or trainers with good grip is essential. No flip-flops or heavy leather hiking boots! In general, comfortable socks with good padding, stretchy leggings or loose fitting pants/shorts that allow a range of motion, and a light weight shirt are ideal. Climbing is hard work, and you will soon heat up. As a result, many climbers wear moisture wicking athletic fabrics or merino wool, but go with what works best for you.

Pro Tip: Some climbers who use the handrails choose to wear rubber-grip gloves to protect their hands, keep them clean, and increase their leverage.

4. Should I eat before the CN Tower climb? Start times for the climb range from around 5:30 am to 10:00 am, so chances are, you'll be up early for the event. Therefore, having a high energy meal or snack beforehand is good idea. Not surprisingly, climbing 1,776 stairs and 144 floors takes a lot of energy. So, either have a high energy breakfast (i.e., oatmeal and berries) before you leave home, or eat a few high calorie snacks (i.e., Cliff Bar) before beginning. You are not allowed to carry anything once you are in the stair well, so charge your batteries before starting.

5. What can I carry with me? On event day, you won't be allowed to carry anything with you except keys and photo ID. The climb is entirely hands free – no water bottles, no snacks, no hats, and no cell phones. That's right - no cell no phones! There are no exceptions to this rule, and you will not be allowed to start your climb if you are carrying anything extra. Therefore, make sure to leave your valuables at home or locked in the trunk of your car. Fortunately, for everything else there is a terrific coat-check system, which is monitored by volunteers. As a result, you can drop off bags, coats, and sweaters, get a receipt, and pick them up again after the event. While there are no guarantees, the coat check is well monitored and efficiently managed by volunteers.

Pro Tip: Don't wear anything of metal as it can lead to delays on the way into the CN Tower. You have to pass through metal detectors and security en route.

6. Any last steps before heading to the tower? Climbing stairs and working out makes you sweat, and conquering 1,776 steps makes you sweat a lot. Since no one is allowed to carry a water bottle (or anything else!) while climbing, it is a good idea to hydrate with electrolytes (i.e., Nuun Hydration tablets or a sports drink) before starting. But remember, what goes in must come out, so it is also a good idea to use the washrooms located in the Metro Toronto Convention Center before heading over to the tower. Don't worry, when you reach the top, you'll be greeted by a group of volunteers with free bottles of water to quench your thirst.

Pro Tip: Hydration is essential but also remember that once you begin you won't have access to washroom for 1,776 stairs.

7. How long does it take? For most climbers, the CN Tower Climb is an endurance test and not a race. As of 2023, the all-time record for the fastest time to climb the CN tower is 7:52, set in 1989 by Brendan Keenoy. However, most people complete it between 30 and 45 minutes. Sadly, I am not a runner and not very athletic, but without extensive training I easily managed to complete it in 24 minutes. Next year I will try to do better!

Pro Tip: Slow and steady gets the job done. It is tempting to hit the stairs at a fast jog, but unless you are a professional tower climber, this means you will burn out early need more breaks higher up. I ended up overtaking a lot of the people who passed me early on, simply by keeping a steady but moderate pace from beginning to end.

8. What are the stairs like? From the moment you "scan in" with your wrist-band at the bottom of the tower to the time you "scan out" at the top to record your time, you cover a fair distance. Specifically, the CN tower climb goes up 1,776 stairs over 144 floors. Each floor has 12 steps, and each flight of steps is numbered, so you can track your upwards progress (for better or worse). In addition, there are landings every 12 steps. Luckily, the steps aren't too steep, and they have a nice depth to them which helps.

9. What if I need to take a break? Anyone who has done the CN Tower climb will admit that 1,776 stairs is a long way. Don't worry, you don't need to do it all in one go! Fortunately, the landings that occur after every 12 stairs have enough space for you to stop, stand against the wall, catch your breath, and let others pass. In fact, you won't be alone. Lots of people take regular breaks every 10, 20, or 50 flights.

10. What if I'm too slow? Don't worry - you can pick your own pace. It isn't a race unless you want it to be. In fact, slower climbers are encouraged to stay on the righthand side of the stairs, which leaves plenty of room for faster climbers to pass on the left. Some people will try to beat their previous best times. However, others look at the climb as a fun activity and a way to give back to nature or their community. As a result, there are plenty of climbers who take it slow and steady, and there is absolutely no need to keep up with others, or feel like you need to run. The key is to pick a pace that suits YOU and that YOU are comfortable with.

11. What if I want to race? If you are going to run or compete for a time record, the best advice is to register online. Both events have a separate process for elite climbers looking to set records. If you just want to push hard for a personal best, go early. The temperatures inside the CN Tower are cooler in the mornings, and there are usually fewer competitors in the early hours. As a result, the combination of cooler temperatures and fewer people makes it easier to make a straight run or pass others.

12. What if I can't make it to the top? There is help on the way up. If you've never climbed the tower before, you might be having visions of getting halfway up and being unable to continue. However, when we did the climb there were volunteers and paramedics stationed on the landings, about 10-12 floors apart all the way up the tower. Luckily, they are there to encourage those who are nervous or tired, aid those who need help, suggest when you need a break, and cheer you on. The paramedics during these events are awesome!

14. Is is the stairwell crowded? If you're having visions of being trampled by thousands of climbers vying for position as they stampede up the stairs, don't worry. Climbers start at specific, staggered, times and the groups are relatively small. Specifically, they have either pre-registered for a specific time slot, or they are grouped with others after checking in. As a result, when you do start climbing it is only you and 10-15 others, and everyone will quickly spread out. Therefore, you will have lots of space and the opportunity to settle into your pace and rhythm early on.

15. It is fun? Yes! The energy of other climbers and the volunteers is amazing! In my experience, everyone who participates in these events is incredibly supportive, and their words of encouragement are incredible morale boosters. During the climb, the rhythm and energy of other climbers can actually help you set a steady pace and motivate you to keep going. The enthusiasm and encouragement en route is awesome! Nothing charges the system like someone smiling, giving you a thumbs up and saying "almost there!" When you climb the CN Tower, the stairwell is full of all kinds of cool people!

16. Can I get a selfie? Since you are not allowed to carry a cell phone or a camera during the climb, you might be wondering how you'll be able to capture your stunning finish or share your epic acheivement. Luckily, event staff set up cameras near the top of the stairwell to record your climb in all its sweaty glory. As a result, photos of each climber will be made available through a shared Flickr account and emailed out. Voila, you can share your acheivement with the world in a professional selfie!

17. Are we there yet? As you near the top of the tower you will hear cheering up ahead. You will begin to see kids artwork on the tower walls. Finally, you will swipe your wrist-band and pass a clock recording your time, you will see signs for the end, and you will hear the camera click. Overjoyed, you think ... I've made it! And then, and then ... you will realize that there are still more stairs. In fact, there are about 6 more flights of stairs. Maybe you will understandably see this as a nightmarish punishment. Perhaps you will experience it as comic relief at the end. Either way, the fact is that even after "finishing" there are still a few small sets of steps before you finally make your triumphant entrance into the skypod observation deck.

18. What happens at the top? When you finally complete the climb, you arrive at the skypod observation deck of Toronto's CN Tower. There are fans to cool you down, free bottles of cold water to quench your thirst, crowds of volunteers to cheer you on and take your photo, opportunities to meet with event cooridnators, mascots, and family members (if they have tickets), and panoramic views to be enjoyed. In addition, there are a couple seats if you need a rest, public washrooms, and even a few paramedics if you're worse for wear.

19. Do I have to walk back down? The only thing more challenging than climbing 1,776 stairs would be to have to walk back down again afterwards. Thankfully, with rubbery legs, flagging energy, and the adrenaline beginning to subside you can take the elevator back down to the ground.

20. What's next? The post-climb experience is amazing! Once you've climbed to the top of the CN Tower and taken the elevator back down you'd think everything was done. But what comes next is a lot of fun. Back at the staging area in the Metro Toronto Convention Center you are given a T-Shirt with your time recorded on it, you can have your photograph taken, and you can celebrate with other climbers. Later, when you are outside on the streets of Toronto, you'll connect with other people who are wearing their World Wildlifd Fund or United Way event t-shirts, and you'll receive smiles and friendly waves from other pedestrians. Climbing the CN Tower is kind of like hiking the Camino de Santiago – each person walks the 1,776 stairs for themselves, but the entire experience is a community effort.

Conquering Toronto's CN Tower

20 Things You Need to Know Before Climbing Toronto's CN Tower

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for the CN Tower Climb in Toronto Canada