Karl Klassen

Karl Klassen’s fingerprints are all over modern avalanche safety. Karl enjoyed a 40-year career as an ACMG Mountain Guide, avalanche forecaster, researcher, author, instructor, examiner, and even filmmaker. He was the long-time lead guide for Monashee Powder Snowcats and served as both the President and Executive Director of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Karl was one of the key players in shaping Avalanche Canada into the world-leading public avalanche safety agency it is today. As Warning Service Manager, he led Avalanche Canada’s evolution into a one-stop shop for winter backcountry users of all kinds. He acted as a liaison with warning services around the world, and coordinated many avalanche safety initiatives with Canadian provincial and federal agencies. He was a mentor to dozens of avalanche forecasters, many of whom have become industry leaders. Finally, he supported Canadian research and led the development of the AvID forecasting platform. For the CAA, Karl co-wrote the curriculum for the Avalanche Operations Level 3 course and served on the InfoEx Advisory Committee, where he shouldered critical tasks such as rewriting subscriber agreements, reconciling competing interests, and advising on InfoEx development. “When the heavy lifting needed doing, one name always rose to the top—Karl Klassen,” wrote one nomination.