If you want a tent for the occasional winter trip, then I think the Marmot Swallow 2P ($359; marmot.com) is the best choice. It聮s technically a three-season tent, but extends into light winter use. That聮s because its canopy is well-ventilated but has enough wind-resistant ripstop to retain some warmth, and its fly tucks right down to the ground. The pole design can shed a moderate amount of snow. Also, it聮s fairly tall inside (40 inches at the high point), and its vertical sidewalls create a feeling of roominess (just in case you get stuck in there for a few days). It weighs just over seven pounds.
Marmot Swallow Tent
Marmot Swallow tentBlack Diamond聮s Mesa ($299; bdel.com) is an excellent two-person tent, but very much on the order of a classic three-season tent. Its lighter construction (five pounds) means it can聮t quite take the wind and snow loads like the Swallow. And its canopy has an all-mesh top, so you might find it too well-ventilated during cold snaps. If it weren聮t for your planned winter use, I聮d go with the Mesa because of its relatively light weight.
Condensation is always an issue in tents, almost regardless of design. For the most part I聮m always surprised at how well tents perform in regards to condensation. But on still, cool nights, when the dew point is just right, it聮s inevitable that some moisture collects on the underside of the rain fly. Tents are designed so that this water drips down the underside of the fly and onto the ground, so it doesn聮t drop on you. But, if you whack the tent, a few drops always seem to come down.
The key, of course, is ventilation. You want to position the tent so that it catches a bit of a breeze, and of course leave some zips open. It聮s best to have ventilation up high so that warm air can rise and escape. But the laws of physics make a condensation-free tent a near-impossibility in some situations.
You聮ve got your winter gear, now get outside and use it. makes it easy to find nearby slopes just begging for fresh tracks.