I've got to say, your original post is dead on ! I live in the Socal Mtns (Frazier Park) Too many locals here have no clue how to drive in the white stuff. (Or driving period as half of them are L.A. transplants
)
My personal experience on most offroad snow driving expeditions around here is momentum without spinning the tires works best and very little use of the brake pedal!
Then I run across the occasional old timer who'll tell me "you'll never make it without chains and tall skinny tires!"
Baaaaahhh! There's obviously a time and place for skinny tires, Fat tires, 4PSI, or chains.. All it takes is a little knowledge about each situation and the ability to adapt to it.
I've been stuck enough to understand the differences in the snow.
I'd love to have a set of new 35" BFG KO's for the highway in the ice and snow, A set of 35 15.50 Baja claws for the powder, But when I finally get the truck up and running again, It'll be the old go between 35" BFG mudder.