I can only speak for my climate, and the winters aren't that cold compared to many Northern hemisphere places.
There's major problems here with adding manure over the winter, as the bacteria are very slow and can't process the nutrients, which tend to end up in the water.
Like John says, I'd dump lots of mulch on top.
I'd go for a high-carbon mulch like chipped trees, as it should help 'hold' the nitrogen, as well as being a fungal tree banquet