What I do over winter is remove the rear shock and replace it with a machined alloy spacer I had made up specially and replace my Fox forks with rigids. The plus of this is that I can then singlespeed the bike thanks to the lack of suspension movement.
Softer winter trails mean that the benefits of suspension are much reduced anyway and like this I retain the fashionable look of riding the latest top-end hardware, but with all the advantages of running a rigid singlespeed. I also save a packet on suspensions servicing – Fox forks need a full factory service every ten hours or something I think – and stop my expensive suspension units from being scratched and abused in harsh winter conditions.
Come the spring, I can replace the suspension components and benefit from optimum, wear-free performance on dry, fast trails. The rigid set-up works brilliantly and I have ridden hard technical trails like TNF in Grizedale and Llandegla Red with this set-up, no problem. Though to be fair, I am an accomplished rider with years of experience.
Once I've removed my Fox forks, I do store them upside down as above and keep them in a warm, dry environment to optimise seal condition. I've heard the wipers don't like fluctuations in temperature and it's best to store them at the temperatures they are to be used at for at least 12 hours before riding to optimise sealing. My personal theory is that much of the stanchion wear problems reported with Fox are due to this not being done.
Follow the above advice and you should be fine.