Ski Champion Defends Throwing Her Toddler Into Snow After Backlash

A ski champion has taken to social media to defend a video she shared of her throwing her son into a bank of snow.

Julia Mancuso, 36, posted footage of herself launching one-year-old son, Sonny, into snow so deep he disappeared.

Many found it hilarious, but some people were quick to slate her parenting skills.

Now she's posted a behind the scenes clip showing Sonny laughing as she threw him in the snow before quickly fishing him out.

In the caption, Julia wrote: "Behind the scenes look at how we prepared. Just wanted to share because I've gotten some messages that just really don't understand this video.

"Sonny loved it - there was zero risk of something being buried in the snow since it happened over the course of a day on our patio - we literally watched the snow fall. We practiced - then we went for it!

"You really don't get these conditions often and can only enjoy the fluffy softness the very next day - so yeah - I don't think it's a good idea to through your kid into any snow bank... but when it snows like this! It's game on."

Instagram/@juliamancuso

Julia posted the original video on 30 November and it has garnered over 280,000 likes, though some negative comments have been aimed at her.

One reads: "Poor baby. Sometimes laugh is combined with anxiety.

"He is too small to say what he really felt."

Someone else added: "He doesn't look like he's enjoying it at all."

A third wrote: "Please don't. He could get buried. Sooo dangerous."

Another commented: "No harm to children until he suffocates and gets a mouthful of snow and aspirates."

In the most recent post, where Julia shows the behind the scenes footage, fans have jumped to her defence.

One wrote: "That kid loves adventure... so fun that you get to share that with him. He loved it!"

Another added: "I thought this was hysterical from first posting - from one [snow] lover and mom to another!!

"All the negative comments are ridiculous - you certainly would NEVER put your sweet Sonny at risk, in snow, on snow, in or on water. Anywhere for that matter!"

Topics: Viral, Entertainment

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

@RJShepherd94