I'm not one to "cheap-out" on things but as of last winter my go-to gloves, even during the blizzards we had, are these Duluth Trading "Glomitts." They are convertible mittens so you can have the dexterity of fingerless gloves and flip the top back up for the warmth of mittens.

My fingers were toasty warm this 22-degree morning on our dog walk.

They are on sale for $17.50 -- I wear the Men's small. They're so cheap and wonderful that I have several pair so will be wearing them for years even if I lose one here and there....

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/products/50041.aspx


For bikejoring in slushy snow, snowshoveling and making snowmen, I opt for Dakine snowboard gloves. But the truth is I get a lot more use out of the Duluth Trading Glomitts.

http://www.rei.com/product/802577:


I second the recommendation for redundancy in gloves -- I have several pair in the car, all year long. Including the Glomitts, work gloves (insulated and not) and down mittens.

The right gloves and socks are priceless in freezing conditions.