Sorry for not replying folks, was without internet for a few days.

I've ridden in snow before, and after a few hairy experiences I think I've got the hang of it. There's a lot of dirt-cheap bikes around here too. Hardly cream of the crop (yayyy huffy and mongoose!) but they'll work as a beater bike during the winter. And after talking to a guy at our local LBS he said that studded tires were almost a must, so I'll probably take that route.