Ski Moms October Checklist – USATimes247.com

With snow in the forecast this weekend, ski season is officially on the horizon—and it’s time to start getting ready. While I’m not quite ready to let go of crisp autumn hikes and pumpkin spice everything, I am starting to visualize that first run of the season. Whether you’re a seasoned ski mom or planning your family’s first ski trip, now is the perfect time to prep for winter, check your gear, and block off those mountain weekends.

October Ski Mom Checklist

Bring skis in for a binding check and tune-up
Schedule snow tire changeover
Sign up for a women’s ski camp or clinic
Start a ski conditioning program
Inventory outerwear & accessories
Order name labels for kids’ gear & gloves
Check resort opening dates & set a “first ski day” goal
Buy/renew ski insurance or pass protection
Get tickets to a World Cup Skiing event.

Ready to start your list? Why not use a Ski Moms notebook ($20)!

Binding Checks

Last year I paid a visit to my local ski shop to learn more about binding checks. Now that I know what goes into them, I’m adamant that every skier needs to do this 1x a year OR MORE. The binding is the pressure valve of your ski. Make time during October to bring your skis and boards in to get tuned and checked. Ask your shop if they will cut you a break if you get your gear in early! If you are in New England, we recommend Ski Haus’s three locations (visit them at SkiHaus.com to learn more). No matter where you live, it’s essential to have a local ski shop that you visit. Don’t buy everything online.

Snow Tires

Take it from a ski mom that’s had a few too many close calls on snowy roads, snow tires are worth the effort. In October, I book my appointment to have my all-season tires removed and my snow tires put on. While we might not have big snows until December, even an inch or two can really get you sliding. Snow tires can significantly reduce your braking distance on slippery roads and give you more control. This can be critical when navigating steep, winding mountain roads or making sudden stops due to wildlife, traffic, or unpredictable weather.

Sign Up for a Women’s Camp, Clinic or Trip

We’re hosting our first set of Ski Moms events and are so excited to gather women together to spend time making friends and skiing. In addition to our events, we’ve gather a HUGE list of events across the nation. Find one near you.

Don’t forget The Ski Moms are hosting two events this year too. Get all the details here.

Ski Conditioning

Ski conditioning builds strength, balance, and endurance—so you’re ready to hit the slopes with confidence and avoid injury. Even 20–30 minutes a few times a week can make a big difference by opening day. Once again this season I’m using the online ACL Strong program for my pre-season training. The updated program has eight modules designed to support the dynamic movements of skiing. The instruction is excellent and I felt strong and balanced as I went into my season. Head here to sign up for the program.

Try On that Gear

Get the kids to try on all the snow clothes and attempt to track down the mittens and socks too. See if you can re-sell gear or swap with a neighbor. All the best pre-season sales are going to happen in mid-November, be prepared!

Order name labels

Smart ski moms know as soon as the new gear comes home it’s time for a label. Ski equipment can look VERY similar on a rack, with Mabel’s Labels, families can easily identify their gear and prevent items from being lost or misplaced.

Mabel’s Labels durable, personalized labels are perfect for skis, poles, helmets, gloves and basically ANYTHING that goes to the mountain. Mabel’s Labels are dishwasher and laundry safe. Their labels provide a practical and convenient solution for busy parents, ensuring their children’s belongings are well organized. Say goodbye to misplaced belongings and hello to stress-free ski trips.. Make sure all those amazing holiday gifts don’t get lost or left behind–we recommend starting with this sport pack (21 labels). Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply.

Check resort opening dates & set a “first ski day” goal

Checking resort opening dates is a great way to spark early-season excitement and get your crew mentally (and physically) ready to ski. Whether you’re chasing first tracks or just aiming for a mellow warm-up day, setting a “first ski day” goal helps build anticipation and gives everyone something to look forward to. Block it off on the family calendar now—before holiday chaos takes over.

Head here to read about Mountain Collective Opening Days.
Vail has a list of opening days here.
Colorado Ski Area opening dates
Utah ski areas opening dates

Buy/renew ski insurance or pass protection

Ski season comes with a lot of moving parts—injuries, weather, travel delays—so having ski insurance or pass protection can offer serious peace of mind. Most multi-resort passes offer optional protection, and it’s worth the extra step to read the fine print and make sure you’re covered. If your family is planning big trips or juggling school schedules, this small investment can help protect your winter plans (and your wallet). For example, Ikon pass has two options. First there is Pass Deferral. If a 25/26 Ikon Pass holder decides not to use their pass after purchase, for any reason, they can elect to defer their pass to receive a full credit for the purchase price of their unused 25/26 Ikon Pass to be used toward the purchase of a 26/27 Ikon Pass. The pass holder needs to defer their pass in My Account by December 11, 2025 to receive a full credit (subject to applicable terms and conditions). In addition, they also offer Pass Protection from a company called GetSpot.com. This is a paid program that provides protection if an Ikon Pass holder can no longer use their pass due to eligible covered events any time after pass purchase. Find out more here.

Get Tickets to a World Cup Event

There are going to be four events in North America this year. If you haven’t been to a ski race, make this the year you bring your family. The events tend to have very low ticker prices, and great access to the athletes. You’ll always be treated to live music and a social scene too. Now that I’ve been to both Killington and Tremblant, I’m hooked and now I’ve even booked a trip to see the Olympics!

You cans see the full FIS World Cup Calendar here.

Head here to learn about the Tremblant 2025 event

Head here to learn about the Copper 2025 event