I bought a pair of serious winter gloves before skating on the weekend. There was a sale at the sports store at the mall (can't remember what it's called) and I got a pair of gortex gloves for $35 (normally $70, they say). I figured it was worth it to not be miserable in frozen Ottawa. I'm doing pretty well at staying warm, with warm boots, down-filled coat, hat with ears and the gloves. I'm certainly not *attractive*, but I am warm :)