Winter has approached as quickly as a bat out of hell this year, ironically right after Halloween. Finding the right boots in a short amount of time may come as a challenge, but FILLER’s winter boot guide breaks it down from après-ski boots to booties worthy of the red carpet…at Sundance, that is.

As we ladies of the Great White North know, when temperatures begin to hover below zero, it’s not just a pair of boots for shoveling the driveway you have to worry about having in your closet, but booties that can maneuver ice-covered sidewalks as you trek across the city. Below, a guide to finding the perfect boot to step into this season. Happy shopping!

Yes, it is difficult to force yourself out into the cold when it isn’t your bladder calling. Make life easier, and get yourself boots that slip on quick and easy, so when your pooch barks, you’re there. Avoid ankle boots, they’re pretty much useless when you find yourself stepping into five inches of snow to pick up after your pup. Instead, turn to La Canadienne’s Honey Suede Boots for a nice alternative to your worn out Uggs. Or, try Kurt Geiger’s Samson boot by Miss KG for a look that can go from the park to your local…where you can order a well-deserved hot toddy.

When you’re not in your ski boots, you still want to play the part of the cute snow bunny. Hop to it in a pair of furry Danny boots by Chloé, or, try a pair of kicks with less runway glamour and more Great White North gruff to go with the mountain scenery, and opt for some Manitobah Mukluks. We suggest the Venture Mukluk style for its full fur covering. With one of these styles on your feet, you’ll be able to dance to Flo Rida’s “Apple Bottom Jeans” by the fire—eggnog in hand—and know that you’re the girl in the “boots with the fur (with the fur),” that the whole chalet is looking at.

So you arrive at Sundance and you realize that Park City is just one giant hill. Goodbye heels! Or maybe not, if you’re one of the lucky ones in the back of the festival’s many black SUVs (or more likely, just manage to catch the festival shuttle bus), then making it to the premiere without sliding down the sidewalk on your tush is just a matter of choosing a pair of sturdy booties tough enough to see you step across that slit of ice between your car door and the red carpet. Once you’ve staggered ever so cautiously to the theatre, you can sit back and enjoy the film in your sleek Alexander Wang Leva cutout leather ankle boots, or look the part of screen starlet (for half the price) in a fashionably fuzzy pair of leather high heel boots by Zara. Bonus? Both styles will have you looking red carpet ready; after all, Sorels only look good at a premiere party when you have an Oscar attached to you name. You haven’t made it yet kid; better start faking it in style.

Whether it is a first date or your 20^th date, you do not want it to be your last. Just because it’s cold out does not mean you show up looking as though you’ve just come from shovelling duty, unless you are going on a midnight tobogganing date. Flat boots are a no—why worry about a little heel when he’s going to be there to catch you if you fall? Haven’t you ever seen While You Were Sleeping? Do like Sandra Bullock and make the tumble worth your while with an almost kiss (or actual kiss!) moment. Or, ensure your feet stay firmly on the ground without giving up height by pulling on a pair of Tod’s leather ankle boots or Steve Madden’s Incharge booties; both are equipped with a gripped bottom to gain traction on icy patches, allowing you to keep the whole head-over-heels thing a little less literal.

Come winter, it becomes infinitely more difficult to plan a girls night out—girls nights in watching chick flicks is usually the outcome of any efforts. However, if you mange to wrangle the gang together, and inspire the ladies to put on some more dance floor friendly sweaters (check out our winter sweater guide for style tips), than a feline motif for your feet is the way to go. Christian Louboutin’s Fifi Booty will have you looking ever the sophisticated lady while on the prowl (120mm stiletto heel will do that), while fun (and longing eyes) will trail you wherever you go in J.Crew’s leopard-print calf hair ankle boots. If drinks with the girls isn’t enough to motivate you to brave the weather, a chance to show off your shoes will be.

Over-the-knee boots protect the majority of your leg from winter’s harsh sting, but that whole covered-but-sexy look is not easy to achieve. Finding the right pair of these tall boots can be tough with so many versions out there. Be smart and think “closet staple” when making this purchase. Avoid styles that are overly trendy, and stick to a classic boot that Katharine Hepburn could easily have worn on days off the set (like the classic black number by Burberry featured above), or that Kate Moss might prefer to wear out when hanging with little Lila Grace around London Town. Try these simple black boots from Aldo with its wee heel and buckle detail to have you looking as good as Kate the Great.

With the holiday season upon us, getting presents in time can seem like an impossible feat. There you are, fighting crowds, running from one end of the mall to the other, and the only boot that seems to fit the occasion is a combat boot. Last minute shopping, or regular weekend errands at that, can leave your feet sweaty and sore, and so the requirements for such tasks are: flat and not insulated. (Turn the heat to the floor in your car to keep toes toasty before the shopping begins.) Saint Laurent’s Patti Croc-Effect leather ankle boots are ready for the battlefield. Or, in case you’re scared those sacred boots will be trampled (because anything Saint Laurent is sacred), Dolce Vita’s Nolee Combat Boots are a fighting alternative.