Owner & Lead Guide
Ken BÉLANGER
Although Ken grew up in Calgary not far from the mountains with his single father and two brothers, they didn’t have the financial means to explore them. It wasn’t until his late teens when he could self-fund trips when he finally discovered skiing and hiking. He was immediately hooked. It was a steep learning curve to overcome his fear of heights and water, but within a few years he was instructing and guiding watersports, climbing, cycling, nordic and telemark skiing.
Attaining a B. Kin with an Outdoor Pursuits major, Ken has always followed his passions. It always involved several concurrent jobs and maxxed out credit, but it somehow usually worked out. He considers himself extremely fortunate to have learned under some fantastic guides and instructors along the way. Indeed, the learning is still happening and always will.
Ken is an ACMG Ski, Hiking, and Via Ferrata Guide, CAA Professional Member, CANSI Level 1 Nordic Ski & Telemark instructor, CSIA level 1, and Advanced Wilderness Adventure Medic.
Now operating Elevation Guides with nearly 30 years of guiding experience worldwide, he couldn’t imagine a better career. Ken resides in Canmore, Alberta at the doorstep of beautiful Banff National Park with his partner (conjointe) Julie, their son Olan, and their faithful husky Taïga. They are a proud Franco-Albertan family, speaking only French at home. Ken also speaks Spanish, some Italian & German, and can order beer and wine in several languages.
Nationality: Canadian
Countries guided: Canada, US, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Andorra, Belgium, Portugal, Czechia, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Morocco, Nepal, Bali, Japan, New Zealand, Australia
Activities guided: skiing (backcountry, ski-mountaineering, heli, cat, nordic), cycling (road, gravel, mountain), hiking & backpacking, climbing (rock, ice, mountaineering), paddling (canoe, kayak. raft)
Languages: English, French, Spanish, some Italian & German
Specialty: Building bespoke experiences worldwide