Vale Karl Berchtold

It is with significant sadness that we share news on the passing of Karl Berchtold, Jindabyne’s oldest postie bike rider, father to dual Winter Olympian Manuela Berchtold and Australian Mogul athlete and stunt coordinator Andrea Berchtold, and beloved husband of Ursula Berchtold. Ursula was the manager of the Jindabyne Trampoline Club for over 30 years, and founder of the annual Jindabyne Snow Sale. Karl passed in mid-September aged 88, following a short and unexpected illness.

Karl’s wonderful life of supporting his family, his community and others, was recently celebrated by a packed-house gathering of over 300 Snowy Mountains community members, which included local Resorts Management members, Ski Patrol members, Snowsports Instructors, Winter Olympic and Australia winter athletes, and multiple community group members from the young to the elderly.

Swiss-born Karl arrived in Australia in 1959 at 22 years of age, and in 1961 joined the Thredbo Mountain Staff as a lift operator, one of the first ski instructors, and as a member of the summer grooming team who cut out the ski runs. Karl famously married his beloved wife Ursula on two occasions, the first being at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas so that both could avoid the singles accommodation at the Sun Valley Idaho Resort, where they worked as ski instructors during the Northern winter. In the early 1980’s, Karl and Ursula built their magnificent Swiss-style home in Tyrolean Village at Jindabyne – one of the first homes constructed on that estate, and Karl went on to work for nearly 20 years at Snowy Hydro. Karl was fondly remembered to be like a Swiss clock – always on time – never late, never early, and a man of great routine with dinner always at 7pm, and Saturday 1pm drinks at the local pub.

Karl’s proudest achievements were recognised as being the forever family support he provided to Ursula, Andrea, and Manuela, along with his minestrone soup for the Jindabyne Snow Sale volunteers, his decades of cleaning at the Trampoline Club, his accordion playing as part of a small band at Thredbo night-spots, and his BIG & BRIGHT SMILE that he gave feely to all whom he meet. Karl was a man who loved life – he loved people, he loved his family, he loved the mountains, and he was genuinely happy with the life he created. Karl’s mantra was “Be in Love with your Life”.

As one who never spoke badly of others on any occasion, Karl was both a rock for his family, and a Snowy Mountains community elder who inspired all who met him. Karl and his red postie bike will be sorely missed by family, friends, and community.