Kélian Duplain

There’s a good chance Kélian Duplain has already out-hiked you—and that’s before 9 a.m. A backcountry-focused snowboader with deep roots in Quebec’s half-pipe scene, Kélian brings the perfect balance of technical know-how and unfiltered passion to the Extremely Canadian team. His journey from carving icy walls in Stoneham to chasing powder in the Sea to Sky backcountry is a story of pure dedication to the mountains.

After discovering splitboarding in his final years on the East Coast, Kélian headed west and never looked back. These days, you'll find him leading AST courses, charging steep lines off Whistler Peak, or laying fresh tracks in the Grey Zone. But he’s just as stoked sharing snow safety skills with the next generation—especially if they’re cracking jokes along the way, like the Freeride Club kids he once taught.

Off the snow, he’s no stranger to hard work and wild places. Summers are spent tree planting, fishing remote streams, and climbing anything with a good crack. The only rest his feet get? Flip-flops.

Whether he’s leading you to untouched stashes or teaching you how to stay safe in avalanche terrain, Kélian’s the kind of guide who makes every day in the mountains unforgettable. And at the heart of it all is his reason for joining ExCan: the friends, the family vibes, and a shared love of going big in the backcountry.

First season working for Whistler Blackcomb: 2018

Certifications: CAA Practitioner Member, OPS 1 & 2, CSGA 1, CAA Avsar Advanced, CASI 1

Favourite ski run: Decker Main