Vale BJ Kaufmehl

Snow Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of colourful Australian snowsport identity BJ Kaufmehl.

BJ touched the lives of countless people through snow-related activities, either as proprietor of Sydney’s Ski Barn or through skiing activities in Thredbo.

He was captain of the Thredbo Ski Race Club (TSRC) for over a quarter of a century, encouraging alpine athletes’ successes through hard work and self discipline. BJ mentored many coaches alongside their athletes, settling them in to Thredbo and developing their coaching skills.

BJ was Race Director for TSRC throughout that period, overseeing Continental Cup, National FIS and Children’s races. He was also a member of the Race Organising Committee that brought the FIS World Cup Men’s GS and Slalom races to Thredbo in 1989.

A former National Alpine Selector, BJ was a team manager for Sport and Rec team European Tours, accompanying future Olympians on international trips.

Recognisable by his yellow ski helmet, he held the position of Chief of Race at Interschools over the years. He was presented with the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and in 2021 was recognised with the Snow Australia Service to Snowsport Award.

In 2019, BJ sustained a cervical spine injury in a motor bike accident, fracturing vertebrae and injuring his spinal cord. He has faced a challenging period in this time. 

After a stroke and a fall last week, BJ unfortunately passed away.

His impact on thousands of people within the snowsports community has been profound and he will be sadly missed.

The thoughts of the Australian snowsports community are with BJs family and friends.