In reply to louiesmith: I was on a winter course a couple years ago and got myself some haglofs softshell trousers ( can't remember model). Did fine in them but they were far too warm for anything but winter.
Recently got myself some Rab neoshell trousers, halfway between softshell and hardshell, totally waterproof, stretchy, very breathable and I just wear baselayer leggings underneath.
I tend to overheat rather than get cold though.
If I'm fairly sure that I'm going to be in the snowline without much rain/water I'll just get any softshell trousers like the VR or if I can afford, something like the mammut base jump.
Otherwise I'll stay in my waterproof neoshell.
Another one to consider is paramo, which is great in winter, depending again on how cold it is and how warm you run. Slightly heavy/bulky at times.