The bearing aren't what I would be worried about, I would worry more about the salt eating the actual hub body. I know for myself I wont be riding my Phil's this year in the winter, I don't think any hub is good enough to withstand such abuses. I just spent too much damn money on those wheels to see riding them through salty slushy winters like those that we have here in Minneapolis. As for winter riding I think a fixie works better, on icy conditions that is because of the ability to backpedal instead of relying on brakes. In really snowy weather though, I think a SS might be better, because of the dynamics of snow and how a bike rides in heavy snow. But I might ride a SS this year, depends on how I feel...

Phil