In reply to yorkshireman:
Ravanel in the Alpina building in Chamonix, they usually have a little cart outside with oddbins shoes, boots, and ski boots in it. It's a good idea to keep an eye open whenever you walk past it (should you ever find yourself in Chamonix), I've had several good deals from there in the past.
The Snowcross are a nice shoe so far, I've only had them out on a few shorter runs but they've done well on snow, rock, gravel, forest, mud, everything. They are a bit noisy as the spikes clatter on tarmac and pavement, but I don't think it's actually hurting the shoe at all.
Thanks for the tights recommendations, I'll give them a look!
Post edited at 14:19