OP, proper winter bike maintenance is as follows:
1. ask yourself, "is my drivetrain already sort of worn out?", if yes skip to 4, if no continue at 2
2. buy cheapest chain and cassette you can find, maybe also rings
3. install
4. beat the crap out of it. flood it with lube if it starts to squeak
5. purchase or reinstall nice chain, cassette, cables, maybe also housing and rings, once everything's been thawed for a week
there is no magic winter commuter. as long as it will fit proper tires it will work