I live in a "mountain resort" and today I saw something that really bugged me...

[cherokeeprogressive]

I was in the parking lot at a place called Snow Summit which is in So. Cal and is a ski/snowboard resort next to a lake at 7000 feet ASL, the lake being the summer draw.

This morning I saw a couple all decked out and ready to go snowboarding. They were walking from the parking lot to the bottom of the mountain where the ticket booths and lifts are...

They were wearing helmets, goggles, and about a hundred square yards of nylon which was probably filled with whatever is the latest warm-stuff.

Here's the rub: The guy had a papoose type child carrier on his back with a little boy in it that looked to be a year old at most. The carrier had padding around the bars, but the kid only had goggles and no helmet. They were planning on going snowboarding with an infant strapped to Daddy's back.

Fucked up, that is. A kid that age has no choice on whether or not he wants to ride on Daddy's back down a mountain. Daddy has no control over what happens to Kid should he fall. Daddy might fall on his own, or because of someone else.

Should Daddy take a dive, Junior is at the mercy of... fate? I've been on the slopes and seen snowboarders do a quick roll and wind up right back on top of their boards. I've also seen snowboarders break wrists, separate shoulders, break noses, and suffer other injuries. If you have a kid on your back, the kid is simply along for the ride.

In my way of thinking, I'd make the dad sign a statement agreeing to be charged with reckless endangerment should he fall and injure the child.

Thoughts?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. Do they have to sign a release of liability before they snowboard?

I would think that they would have to as standard operating procedure.

Yes, I am a lawyer but I do not play one on TV, unlike Shatner.

[pinboy3niner]

4. Sounds like the guy in the story is "playing" a daddy--and not well nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. I do believe they have to sign a waiver releasing the resort from liability.

That's not my concern here though. It's the fact that the father is placing the child in grave danger because he has no control over who else might be on the mountain, skiing or snowboarding down the slopes with their hair on fire.

[madokie]

26. Plus what's a one year old going to take away from the experience

Nothing, nothing at all except a real chance of being seriously hurt of killed, maimed for life. This is the purpose of a babysitter.
You are right to be concerned, worried or whatever it is you feel cause this is some fucked up shit.
With my apologies to the shits, mind you

[PDJane]

2. That's totally screwed up...........

Daddy needs lessons in parenting, and a good swift kick in sensitive parts of his anatomy. I would be disappointed if the guy selling tickets let them on the mountain with the child...........unless they took the child in turns and stuck to it.

[Drahthaardogs]

23. Hey mommy needs one too!

I suspect "Daddy" get the honors of carrying junior because he is likely more physically able to carry jr's weight. If mommy is walking along side dad, she is just as complicit as the father. My wife would have NEVER let me do something like that (not that I would have wanted to).

[Louisiana1976]

3. I think having the dad sign a statement agreeing to be charged

with reckless endangerment should he fall and injure the child would be a good idea. He shouldn't bring his baby snowboarding.

I'm surprised the resort doesn't have a rule against snowboarding with a baby.

(Edited to add a sentence.)

[bedazzled]

28. guess it's hard to predict such stupidity

doesn't surprise me, though.

[jberryhill]

6. Is there a nursery there?

Maybe they were going to take turns holding the kid.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. No nursery. Group and private lessons for children, which is where some parents park their child

while they're skiing/snowboarding. There's an age limit though, and I believe it's either four or five years old.

The backpack the kid was in was padded. That makes me think their plan was to snowboard together.

If there weren't 2000 other people on the mountain, I might take a different view. But just like driving in the snow, it's not me I worry about, it's the idiot who drives in the snow TWO times a year rather than my neighbors who drive in it every day there's snow or ice on the roads.

[applegrove]

8. That's just wrong.

[tabatha]

9. I would have spoken to the parents.

and told them I would be reporting them, after taking a photo.

[sce56]

10. It is called Child endangerment!

California Child Endangerment Law California Penal Code 273a PC punishes acts of child endangerment. Simply put, this crime occurs when an individual either (1) places a child in a dangerous situation, or (2) allows a child to be placed in a dangerous situation without taking steps to protect the child.1

Because this crime may be charged even when the child suffers no actual injury



It would be an easy to charge them with Child Endangerment just for putting a child at risk.

[JDPriestly]

19. In addition to the Penal Code, check out the Welfare and Institutions Code on child abuse and neglec

There are special dependency courts for that sort of violation.

But maybe the parents were taking turns with one snowboarding while the other watched the baby. It would take more facts. I would have discussed the matter with the authorities.

[msongs]

11. umm maybe they were going to take turns keeping the kid while the other snowboarded nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. If the carrier wasn't padded I might have seen it the same way.

Lots of people think it's perfectly safe...

http://www.familytravels.com/skibaby.html

http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=35446

[Cleita]

13. I would have called the police and child services if I saw that.

There are times when an innocent is involved that you just can't mind your own business. I mean signing a statement isn't going to protect the child. Keeping the kid off the slopes and off daddy's back will.

[ellisonz]

14. "We live in a culture that grows more stupid and graceless by the moment." - Bob Costas

[pinboy3niner]

15. Is there a helmet requirement for snowboarders?

If there is, there is a glaring loophole.

[rufus dog]

16. You are correct

That is messed up.

My guess, some couple with trust fund money from Newport Beach who use the kid as a prop.

Sad stuff.

[MADem]

17. Maybe they intended to take turns? One watches the kid, the other snowboards? nt

[Maine-ah]

32. My thought to, MADem

it doesn't seem as though the OP actually saw the father snowboarding with the child.

[MADem]

33. I think the "helpers" on the slopes might have a problem with someone backpacking

a kid down the hill, too...but that's just my take.

Buy one ticket, hang out in the lodge drinking hot chocolate with Junior, and take turns? It's cheaper than hiring a sitter!

[JDPriestly]

18. That could be called child abuse -- neglect.

I don't know, but I think I would have checked with the police or Social Services. That is a serious matter, very serious.

[exboyfil]

20. I have always felt the same way aboout babies

on these bike carriers. I am sorry the risk is lower, but I would never have done that with my children. I had a two person jogging stroller which I used for a few years as well (when I was in good shape). I always had the strap around my wrist, but I was always worried about what if I tripped and fell. I would have my two kids in the stroller, and the dog leash tied to the outside frame.

[XemaSab]

21. Deeply, deeply, deeply uncool

My ex-colleague's ex-husband was possibly the most in-shape person I've ever met. The guy would ride from the west side of Yosemite over to Mono Lake in a day, which is something like 110 miles and several thousand feet. He was one of the best mountain bikers in California. This man wasn't just in good shape, but he had a sense of balance and timing that few people have.

He was skiing at Badger Pass and from all accounts he was on flat ground. His feet went out from under him, and he's a paraplegic now.

Snowboarding with a baby is never safe; it doesn't matter who you are or how athletic you are.

[Quantess]

22. That is the point where you say something to the dad.

You don't just let that walk past without speaking up.

[Prometheus Bound]

24. I know the father of a guy who takes his babies rock climbing.

I don't think I could stand to watch.

[kestrel91316]

25. After nearly 30 years in So Cal, I am convinced there is

something in the water here that brings out the stoopit in people.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

27. A baby froze to death.

Many years ago I read about parents who took their baby either snow shoes or cross country skiing, in a back pack. The baby was dressed well, but unlike his parents, he wasn't keeping warm by moving. They stopped somewhere to rest and found the baby dead.

So there are more dangers than falling with the baby.

[City Lights]

29. Disturbing.

Disturbing that the parents would even think of doing this, and disturbing that Snow Summit would allow it.

[B Calm]

30. I was once a young father myself. When

I think back, I did stupid things too. I use to give my little boy motorcycle rides.

[PassingFair]

36. My Uncle gave me a motorcycle ride when I was around 4 or 5....

We were at the beach, and I went FLYING off of the back when he
drove off the sand and onto the sidewalk. Luckily, I landed in the sand.

He begged me not to tell my parents, and I never did....

[TwilightGardener]

31. Yikes. They need their heads examined.

[FarLeftFist]

34. As a snowboarder and parent myself I have to say, that is downright crazy unless...

They were planning on going down a very easy run.

[Louisiana1976]

38. Even an easy run might be dangerous. Because stuff happens.

[Prometheus Bound]

39. That would make sense.

The bunny slopes would be a lot of fun for the child and no more dangerous than walking.

[sylveste]

35. i'm curious

did you actually see them snowboarding with the kid? perhaps they were going to buy their lift tickets and then drop the kid off with a nanny or babysitter or whatever.

[cherokeeprogressive]

37. Fair question...

I have to say given the fact that they were fully geared up and carrying snowboards - they weren't planning on leaving the parking lot any time soon. Also, given that the backpack carrier the child was in was padded and the kid was wearing snow gear and goggles, I'd say their intentions were pretty clear.

And of course that is an assumption on my part. All signs pointed to them getting lift tickets and boarding with the kid though.

[derby378]

40. I don't like the idea of a "contract" that allows you to be charged

Too complicated. Just have the local patrols watch his every move. If he tries anything stupid, arrest him before he gets on the slope and charge him.

[rucky]

41. I can think of several ways to have fun with a baby with a snowboard & some snow

and none of them involve shredding it down a hill.

I like to share things I like to do with my kid - I just make accommodations for her and switch off with my wife, when appropriate.

[U4ikLefty]

42. Did you drop your Grey Poupon?

[Odin2005]

43. That is insane!

[vaberella]

44. You need to come to Paris, France.

It is over ridden with negligent parents. I work for a small private english teaching company for kids. I had kids dropped off late in front of the center while mummy and daddy run off and the child is left crying outside because we lock the doors when late. I have had parents who have not only forgotten the kid but when another parent was called to pick the child up they said they would not leave work for that. I had it where mothers have left their newborn babies carriages outside of the building to run in with another child and blame us when we lock the doors. Said woman gave no notice to us there was a baby carriage and put it in a way far away from the our peripheral vision so we wouldn't see it or even determine if it was there.

Your story is one of very many. There are just some people who have absolutely no common sense.

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. Odd, the way some people think, isn't it? n/t

[vaberella]

46. Very much so.

Keep in mind all these kids are of wealthy parents. I wonder if that plays a role. Money comes before the child and they see us as glorified nanny's.