Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I agree with the freedom of choice argument, but we have to remember that really young kids don't have a choice. A bit like the poor kids who are all too often subjected to their parents' toxic smoke fumes for example.
While in Bansko last month, a guy hurtled past me, darting in and out of the trees along the side of the piste, with what I originally thought must've been a doll strapped to his front. I laughed at the time, thinking it was a bit of a joke.
However, later that day when I saw him again near the bottom I realised that it was a real baby, possibly not more than a year old, and I have to admit, I though this guy was such an idiot.
I would never consider taking a child that young in a sling down the slopes in that way, however good/clever I thought i was!

Colin definately has a point, i do feel for the poor kids born into city enviroments with the car/bus/lorry fumes, no fields to run in, no trees to climb... surrounded by drug/knife/gun cultures, so much so that the parent is virtually forced to remain the youngster in the home. Their formative years dictated by what they view on PC screens, their bodies never pressed physically, even in underfunded/overly monitored schools (what ever happened to out of school hours activities ?)
Im sorry, the damage to young people starts from birth in these `scary times', the media portraying the dangers everyday (no such good news as bad news !!), and to this end parents who are trying to be responsible are afraid to do anything just in case of `what if ??', or to being percieved as `bad parents'...
In Bulgaria parents are very protective of their children, in fact all are, even those around the child. The concerns shown are reminisent of my childhood, where my parents friends were always on hand to offer help, and protection to the benefit of the child. Experiences will always carry a risk, but this risk is worth taking in order for the child to grow, rounded, level headed and on into adulthood with a good basis of appreciation of others with an unselfish nature, hopefully sport interested with an enquiring mind...
As for the individual skiing with the baby, personally perhaps i would not, but i am not about to condemn him either, it will be him who would have to live with the consequences if their was a problem. We travel enough in cars with babies in seats, a far greater risk to life and limb, yet this is accepted.. The number of reported baby deaths in car accidents far exceeding those of babies on ski slopes (i have never heard of one in thirtys years)
Cate, i don't know what you are expecting ?? god forbid that the `ski fields' should become so managed that we are herded down lined slopes, with penalties if you exceed the limit, or wander outside the corridor. Skiing is about freedom, and the dangers that entails, this is the reason people want to ski, it gets the heart going, it raises the awareness, and hopefully makes people consider their mortality... It can scare, ilate, depress, exhaust, fill an individual... and they will be back for more. Safety procedures are in place in case something happens, mountain rescue and others are on hand to assist, but the main person is you, to maintain a balance of what your actually capable of, and what you think or dream you are capable of... Ski safe all