Get a good idea of what winter weather in your area consists of. Hang out at the airport and -- OH MY GOD-- talk flying with pilots. Talk to the old-timers who have their IR and have been flying pistons in winter IMC for years. See if you can hitch a ride from them sometime, or have them hitch a ride with you and help show you the ropes. Get tips on local conditions, areas they KNOW for whatever reason may/may not often have ice or areas where inversions form. Pick their brains. They don't even need to be a CFI. A PPL who has been flying his plane in all weather/seasons for 15 years can be a wealth of knowledge.

I caution you to talk to as many people you can find. Be as informed as you can be. Don't put all your eggs in one basket because quite frankly, the one and only guy you talk to if you only talk to only one might be a moron. If he is the only one flying pistons in hard IMC in the winter at your local airport he either knows more then everyone else on field or there might be something wrong with him. What are the chances he knows more then everyone else?