There was a FWD "narrow tired" VW wagon of some sort at the same condo I was staying at in Mammoth this weekend. After a couple of feet of snow fall, he was, ah, stuck. I tried to help but to no avail. I told him to put his chains on. Then I got in my Cayenne and drove off.

There is not a single thing a FWD or RWD can do better than a AWD or 4WD in snow or ice except hit something.

Chains Rock! Someday, I might even need them.
In VA, I can handle not going out for a whole day when the "iffy" big one comes once a year.
Does 4WD make you go faster?