winter ops

[NewfoundMINI]

I bought a Countryman in August and have been very happy with it. Now, however, winter has hit, and I have issues. The windows freeze up almost daily, the windshield wipers don't contact the window completely when there is ANY ice on them, and the door handles and doors freeze shut often. Luckily strength helps there, but the windows are another issue. I need to open them to swipe a card to get in and out of a gate at work, and it's a real pain when they're frozen - have to open the door and stick my arm out without hitting the stand that the card reader is posted on. Anyone have any advice or recommendations? Are there any better windshield wipers that won't freeze so easily? It's only December - I am not going to be taking hot water out to the car on a daily basis to get the wipers to work properly! It's treacherous on the highway when cars and trucks are kicking up dirty mist and I can't clear it off properly. I'm pretty disappointed. I've never had such issues in winter before with any car, and I've had quite a few. Thanks for the input!