Lucky for me, I am a nail freak, so every time I paint my toenails.... I see my winter feet and slather Petroleum Jelly!

I used to ignore my feet during the winter months, but I, too, found them to look "wolverine" by spring!  So now, I try to soak them every few weeks (during the winter months) and I, too, lather on Vaseline or a good foot lotion.  It truly DOES make winter feet much more bearable and easier to work with when spring rolls around. 

I suggest you soak them in warm water (with baby oil) for a few minutes before you try to cut your nails and then use a foot scrub or DIY scrub (sugar, oil, etc.) to help remove the build-up of dead skin, etc.  Slather on Vaseline or a good foot lotion and then repeat in a week.  If you do this for a few weeks, you'll be ready for spring and sandals!  I wouldn't waste a lot of time pushing back cuticles until you're able to remove some of the dead skin build up first. 

Good luck!

Dawn R.