GET ORGANIZED FOR SKI SEASON: Tips for Busy Families to Streamline Winter Weekend Travel
Reduce Winter Travel Stress with Expert Organization Strategies from Denver’s Top Professional Organizer
As Denver eagerly awaits the first snowfall, thoughts of fresh powder and weekend ski trips stir up plenty of anticipation for Colorado families. For busy families who frequently travel to their ski homes near Denver, preparing for winter can be as chaotic as it is exciting. Without the right organization, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the seasonal transition.
Remembering where last year’s ski gear is stored, figuring out what still fits the kids, planning new purchases, and coordinating schedules with friends or visitors can quickly become frustrating. But winter prep doesn’t have to be stressful.
Setting up smart, organized systems can turn your ski weekends into seamless adventures. By investing a little time upfront – or hiring a professional organizer – you’ll be able to hit the slopes sooner and with less hassle. Here are some tips from Denver’s top professional organizer (and winter sports enthusiast) to help your family enjoy the ski season without the stress.
Get organized for busy winter weekend travel and hitting the slopes by decluttering, smart shopping, and establishing simple systems at home and in the car.
GATHER AND CATEGORIZE WINTER GEAR
Preparing for winter means getting your family’s ski and winter gear organized before the season begins. Whether it's tucked away in various closets, the basement, or the garage, now is the time to consolidate all of your family’s winter essentials. By organizing your gear early, you avoid last-minute stress and make the most of holiday sales to get ready for ski weekends.
Start by gathering all of your winter gear from around the house. Sort items by family member and, if needed, by winter sport or activity—especially if your family participates in multiple winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. This helps you quickly identify what belongs to whom and what might be needed for each person or activity.
DECLUTTER AND DECIDE WHAT DOES AND DOES NOT BELONG
Once everything is consolidated, it’s time to take inventory of your winter gear. The first phase of Be Organized Method involves asking yourself what DOES and DOES NOT belong. By doing this you only keep the items you truly need and love. As a professional organizer and winter sport enthusiast, here are some questions I consider when assessing gear:
Have the children outgrown their ski jackets, snow pants, or boots?
Are helmets, gloves, or safety gear still in good condition, or is it time to upgrade?
Do your family’s ski layers still fit and function properly?
As you go through each item, separate gear into three categories: Keep, Donate, and Resell. Items that are no longer useful but still in good condition can be donated, while higher-quality items may be resold. If you’re in Denver, consider taking your resellable items to Feral, a great spot for outdoor gear consignment.
According to Jimmy Funkhouser, owner of FERAL, “FERAL is the perfect spot to declutter because we make it super simple to turn your clutter into new, useful items - or just convert your clutter into cash. We have two priorities with our used program: 1) Be the easiest place to unload used items, and 2) Maintain the cheapest prices on used outdoor goods.”
Let Be Organized Method help you and your family get completely organized for the quickly approaching ski season.
PLAN YOUR WINTER GEAR SHOPPING
Decluttering and organizing early helps you get ahead on shopping for any needed winter gear. As you sort last year’s items, make a list of what needs to be replaced or upgraded. Timing this process with holiday sales ensures that you can shop for ski jackets, snow boots, and other winter essentials without rushing.
Here are a couple of upcoming winter gear sales and events near Denver through November:
OMA Market Week Fall/Winter Preview (Nov 4-8, 2024)
Taking place in Lakewood, Colorado, this event features over 175 brands showcasing winter gear and apparel. It's ideal for families seeking high-quality, outdoor-focused clothing and equipment for the ski season.
FERAL's Winter Gear Consignment Event
FERAL in Denver is known for hosting ongoing outdoor gear consignment events, offering great deals on second-hand, high-quality winter sports gear. Keep an eye on their schedule for more upcoming sales.
ORGANIZE OUTDOOR WINTER GEAR INTO SYSTEMS
Once you've gathered all your winter gear and shopped for new items, the next step is to create an organized, accessible system that is easy to maintain. Start by optimizing your mudroom or a closet near the main entrance. This space will serve as a designated area to store each family member's winter essentials, ensuring quick access.
No Mudroom? No Problem!
If you don't have a dedicated transition space, use your garage or a less frequently used closet. Consistency is key—choose a location that's easy to use regularly. Ideally, this area should be near the laundry room, making it simple to clean and dry muddy or wet gear before storing it back.
PRO TIP : Match Your Gear to Your Space
Once you know exactly what each person needs for various winter activities, align the volume of your items with the space available. Only then should you purchase organizational products like bins and containers. Pro tip: Before buying anything, lay out your piles to ensure everything fits. This step saves time and money by preventing unnecessary purchases.
Designate Drop Zones at Home and in the Car to Avoid Clutter
After a fun ski weekend, nothing's more daunting than facing a pile of gear dumped on the floor. By designating specific drop zones, you can significantly reduce stress and save time during clean-up. Set up a dedicated spot in your mudroom or entryway, and ensure everyone knows where their gear belongs.
Take it a step further by creating a drop zone in the car per family member. This keeps items organized and makes packing for the slopes faster and more efficient.
MAXIMIZE YOUR SKI SEASON WITH EXPERT ORGANIZATION FOR BUSY FAMILIES
As Denver’s ski season approaches, staying organized can make winter weekends stress-free for busy families traveling to their mountain homes. With the right systems in place, you can streamline everything from gear preparation to packing, so you’re ready to hit the slopes in no time. Whether it’s organizing ski gear, creating drop zones for easy packing, or planning shopping around holiday sales, Be Organized Method offers tailored solutions to help your family enjoy more time on the slopes and less time dealing with the chaos. Contact Denver’s top professional organizer today to make this ski season your most organized yet!
Enjoy more moments and make more memories on the slopes this winter with a prepared and organized home.
