One of the most important things you can do is attend your state beekeeping meeting and learn first hand what is going on in beekeeping. The steps you take now will determine how your bees will start the year - either strong and healthy or weak and in poor health.
Winter poses some serious problems for bees.
The cold weather limits their activity and all efforts are focused on keeping warm. To keep warm, they need to eat, and to eat they must move away from the warmth of the cluster. Eating honey and the cold also cause condensation within the hive body and can wet and cool the bee even further. Ventilation of the hive will go a long way towards helping your bees get though the cold winter. You should provide top entrances for your hives.