ONE of the true legends of Perisher was given a fitting personal send off at Perisher last week when Christian Keller's snowsports instructor peers paid tribute to a man who had spent over 50 years at Perisher.

Christian Keller was born in Switzerland in 1935 and would travel for his first winter season to Smiggin Holes in 1966. He spent 54 years doing back to back snow seasons between Perisher and Switzerland, he settled in the ski resort of St Moritz after growing up on the Swiss Italian border.

There were many compliments paid on the night by his fellow instructors, with Pete Brulisauer, SVP & Chief Operating Officer Australia and Perisher speaking highly of Christian who would always offer his friendly advice on how to run the resort.

Mr Brulisauer said for over 54 years Christian walked out of the locker room with a smile on his face and a positive energy. "Christian was a much loved, respected and inspiring member of the Perisher school," said Mr Brulisauer.

"He would approach me with such amazing grace and care, care for the guest and the experience the guest was going to have. He was always striving to do that little bit better. Christian is one of Perisher's great, always will be."

To celebrate the life of Christian, attendees skied the Front Valley slope and participated in a flare run followed by a fireworks show.

Snowsports Director Tina Burford raised a toast at the end of the evening and noted that Christian's beloved ski boots would be permanently on display within the locker room with a QR Code to the video of Christian and fellow Perisher instructor Franz Pichler. The video was a tribute to both instructors who had dedicated 50 years of service teaching at Perisher. 

The ski boot will be a great reminder of a good friend to all the instructors, and the video will be shown to new employees in years to come to show them a part of Perisher skiing history and the mountain philosophy of a man who loved the mountains, skiing and teaching people how to ski.

It is remarkable to think someone could spend 100 seasons teaching skiing, and all through that time Christian always presented for work with a smile on his face and a desire to help people learn the sport he truly loved. 

Heini Christian Keller, 9 August 1935 - December 2020.

Above, the ski boot and image of Christian that will sit in the Perisher locker room. More images from the night can be found in the gallery of images at top.