A 28-year-old Danish father sparked widespread controversy after skiing down a slope in Norway with his 11-month-old son strapped to his chest in a baby carrier. The incident, which was filmed and shared on Instagram, drew sharp criticism from ski industry experts who called the practice extremely dangerous, while the father defended his actions as a calculated risk no different from driving with a child in a car.
Father Defends Skiing With Baby on Chest
Theis Thesbjerg Jensen, who has been skiing his entire life, decided to take his young son on the slopes during a recent trip to Norway. His girlfriend, 25-year-old Stina Sørensen, filmed the moment and shared it on their Instagram profile, which has nearly 4,000 followers.
In the post, the couple emphasized their belief that life doesn’t need to stop after having children. With the right attitude and some patience, they argued, parents can continue doing the same activities they enjoyed before becoming parents.
The video quickly attracted negative attention. Users criticized the couple for being irresponsible and not considering their child’s safety. Eventually, the couple disabled comments on the post. However, that didn’t stop users on the controversial Reddit group Influencergossip from discussing the incident, with several people reportedly filing notifications with municipal authorities.
Ski Company Issues Strong Warning
Thomas Skaaning Sørensen, a partner at ski company Højmark Rejser, didn’t mince words when asked about the practice. He described skiing with a baby in a carrier as reckless and something his company absolutely does not recommend.
While there’s no official legislation prohibiting the activity, creating what Skaaning Sørensen calls a gray area, ski professionals strongly advise against it. The risks are numerous, including the possibility of landing on the child during a fall.
Lasse Overgaard, a sales representative at Højmark Rejser, echoed these concerns. He explained that many ski accidents aren’t solo incidents but result from people colliding with each other on the slopes. Even skilled skiers cannot control what others do around them, he noted.
Collisions Are Common on Slopes
Overgaard pointed out that tourists who’ve had too much to drink or skiers attempting runs beyond their skill level frequently cause accidents. Regardless of personal ability, skiers remain vulnerable to being hit by others who lack proper control.
For those planning winter activities in Scandinavia, understanding local safety recommendations becomes essential, even if they aren’t legally binding.
Father Dismisses Industry Criticism
When presented with the criticism from Højmark Rejser, Theis Thesbjerg Jensen acknowledged the concerns but challenged their applicability to his situation. He suggested the recommendations apply primarily to average Danish ski enthusiasts and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Jensen emphasized that his family had the baby on the slopes for only 30 minutes total, consisting of a few runs down family-friendly beginner slopes. He rejected suggestions that they had taken the child on advanced black runs.
Comparing Risks to Daily Life
The father argued that living inherently involves taking risks, even on behalf of children. He compared the situation to driving with a child in a car, suggesting that more children are injured in vehicles than on ski slopes.
Jensen maintained that the situation had been blown out of proportion. In his view, the controversy stems from people judging a 10-second video clip without understanding the full context. He stressed that his family uses their Instagram account as a personal diary to share honest perspectives on life.
Debate Over Parental Responsibility
The incident has reignited discussions about where the line falls between maintaining an active lifestyle after having children and ensuring child safety. Jensen defended his approach by saying he stays away from other skiers by choosing the right times and keeping to the sides of runs, similar to being cautious in traffic.
Critics on social media, however, remained unconvinced. Many argued that no amount of caution can eliminate risks posed by unpredictable skiers on crowded slopes. The debate highlights differing philosophies about acceptable risk when it comes to young children.
Interestingly, Jensen couldn’t say whether he would ski with his son in a carrier again in the future. He concluded by emphasizing that his priority is taking good care of his child while not stopping living.
Industry Standards Versus Personal Choice
The controversy underscores a broader tension between industry safety recommendations and individual decision-making. While ski companies and professionals issue clear warnings based on experience and accident data, parents ultimately make their own choices about what risks they’re willing to accept.
Despite the backlash, Jensen remained firm in his position. He dismissed the guidelines as recommendations from a ski company his family doesn’t even travel with, suggesting they hold limited authority over his decisions.
The case serves as a reminder that social media can amplify parenting debates rapidly. What started as a personal Instagram post became a flashpoint for discussions about child safety, parental judgment, and the responsibilities that come with sharing family moments online.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Winter in Denmark for Tourists and Expats
The Danish Dream: Best Travel Insurance in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Han kørte ned ad pisten med sin baby i bæresele – skiselskab advarer
