What do you think of this child's experience?

[Are_grits_groceries]

(“@NDmom: Does anyone else look at this picture and think that this probably is a bad idea?)

That parent is a moran!

[morningfog]

1. Without more, I can't say.

Some people are very experienced skiers and never fall down. If the person is on a slope the are familiar with the picture probably looks worse than it is.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. Never fall down?

There is no skier on earth who never falls down. In addition, there can be unforeseen circumstances that occur.

[morningfog]

19. Yes. I know skiers who ski the same slopes, aren't flashy and

for them skiing is a very safe and routine exercise.

[WinkyDink]

7. OMG: "never fall down"?! I know a ski INSTRUCTOR who recently broke 5 ribs skiing!

[morningfog]

20. I have no idea what that instructor was doing or trying to do.

I know skiers, though, who ski in jeans and haven't fallen since they were learning. They go on familiar slopes, not the crazy ones and take easy runs down. I wouldn't worry if they had a baby on their back. You can be a defensive and careful skiers, just like driving.

[Ganja Ninja]

3. It looks dangerous as hell.

That kid could get seriously messed up if she takes a fall.

[hlthe2b]

4. I won't defend it, but then I see the little kids in the bicycle trailers...

in heavy damned traffic and I am likewise unnerved...The latter is so common place that I will probably get reamed for even mentioning it... But doing so on a bike pathway or at least a bike lane and doing so on a non-bike friendly, heavy trafficked road are quite different. Some of them don't even bother with the high visibility flags or lights....

[morningfog]

22. Exactly, this in no more dangerous than the babies on the back of bikes or in the trailers.

In fact, it is probably safer than driving with a kid in a car.

[NNN0LHI]

24. Small kids riding on a lawn tractors with dad does it for me

It terrifies me every time I see it. I knew a guy who did it decades and the tractor rolled over on to the kid and killed him. The dad was never right in the head after that. Like a different person. I didn't know him anymore after that happened.

Don

[antigone382]

5. Not all skiing is very fast, or on a big downhill slope

From this angle it is difficult to see the setting where the skiing is occurring. You can ski at a slightly faster than walking pace through the woods and have very little risk of falling. In that case I wouldn't see this as particularly dangerous--in fact it might even be safer if you are trying to get exercise in winter in a place where the ice and snow might make walking slippery business. The skis can stabilize you better.

[WinkyDink]

8. You DO see the trees there, right?

[antigone382]

11. Yes, but I've also walked on paths in the woods in winter and seen cross-country skiers on them.

And while there were trees nearby, the speed of the skiers and the angles of the paths they were on made it extremely unlikely that there would be a collision. In those cases the skiers were probably safer going at the moderate pace they were traveling than I was walking--but I wouldn't have considered either of us in incredible danger. I can't tell from this photograph whether or not that is the case here.

[morningfog]

21. I see trees in the background, not in the path.

[canoeist52]

6. We used to carry our kids in a FRONT pack when cross-country skiing.

You almost always fall backward on skis. When the kids were toddlers we moved them to the ski-sled.

[Odin2005]

9. Idiot parent!

[hobbit709]

10. Where is this picture taken?

Go to Scandinavia and some parts of the Alps and you see this all the time.

[gollygee]

12. I don't think you can tell much from this picture

They could be cross country skiiing, and those trees look to be on either side of a path to me, maybe one they're cross country skiing on.

[Javaman]

13. I'm looking forward to the copy cat threads

and for this to viral on DU as the latest outrage in an otherwise dull news cycle.

[riderinthestorm]

14. My kids rode horseback with me in a baby backpack all the time.

Of course it was on a very well broke horse but we went on long extended rides walk, trot, canter - even jumping.

Its impossible to tell from this blurred "action shot" exactly what's happening in this photo. If they're simply shusshing down a small slope while cross country skiing, I see nothing wrong with this. Cross country skiing isn't a whole lot different than going on a hike with your baby strapped on imho.

Down hill skiing might be a different thing (and I'm also am avid downhill skiier) but depending on the slope and the skill of the skiier, this may not be even as dangerous as going on a bike ride with your tot in a babyseat behind you.

In other words, there's not enough info on this pic to make an informed decision. Might be dangerous and reckless, or it may be perfectly harmless.

[TwilightGardener]

15. If that's Finland and he/she is cross-country skiing to get

to the grocery store, fine. If that's Vail and it's a downhill run...need to get a babysitter.

[vanlassie]

16. I doubt the Christmas outfit will scar him for life, and the parent

is obviously thoughtful and caring, having hitched the stuffed animal along for the trip.

[GoneOffShore]

18. Exactly.

[GoneOffShore]

17. My opinion? Go back and read, kick and rec the thread on privatization.

It's here http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021954858

There's something to get outraged about.

[HappyMe]

23. You can't tell much from the picture.

There are countries where that is the way you have to get around in the winter.

No more dangerous than those baby chairs on the backs of bicycles or those bicycle trailers.