Very true - if you can find good stuff cheaper, go for it. But generally speaking, I've been finding that the expensive stuff is expensive for a reason. You can get gear that's far lighter, warmer, more compressible, etc if you're willing/able to pay for it. Doesn't mean that everything expensive is automatically better (watch out for brand name price inflation) but often those pricey clothes have an amazing performance difference.
Based on last winter I still need to fine tune those skills... though I like nyker's suggestion of giving yourself at least a 24-36hr buffer before a storm and limiting your goals even then. Because typically the day or so before a storm blows in... well something has to "blow" it in... so there can be some pretty epic winds even the day before a big storm. Coming down off a mountain as the sun sets on the day before a storm comes in = even worse (ask me how I know...). Winds often pick up around sunset - yes, these other guys commenting have a lot more experience but you can learn a lot from a dummy... I only have a couple seasons of winter 14er bagging under my belt (lots more at lower elevations like RMNP) and while I've been very conservative on route choices I've gotten burned on weather choices, that's why I figured I'd chime in once more to highlight how easy it is to underestimate conditions if you're new to the high country in winter. Moral of the story: give yourself LOTS of buffer room before any incoming storms (and also afterwards due to avy concerns).
(edit - I see Squirrellysquirrel beat me to the punch with some of the wind warnings - it's because of those type of winds that I picked up the high dollar gear that has performed amazingly in those conditions - and also the reason why I'll be likely making more conservative choices in regards to weather this winter...)