The issue with trying to "read" or "explain" how to drive in the snow or what works best is that every type of snow or each snow run is different. What works best one day will not necessarily work well later in the same day.
first off most of the snow wheeling we do (at least up in the Washington area) and I suspect you Portland folks are similar) is deep snow wheeling. You will find that many people who talk about wheeling in the snow are talking about a few inches on the trail. That is not what we are talking about here (other than Dustin's last pic).
As a general rule you want as much flotation as possible (large tires, LOW air pressure less than 10psi usually, and low tire speed). However, I have seen gutted XJ's with large tires have great difficulty keeping up with other heavier smaller tired versions so these are only guidlines. Also, often soft AT's do better than harder MT's, all depends on the snow. I have seen the conditions change quickly (usually at sun rise and sun set) that can change the difficulty from no problem to impossible (this is why you don't want to be stuck too far from the trail head when it is getting later in the day).
I have always considered snow to be the best equilizer. You can have an all out buggy and a stocker open/open on the same trail and both enjoy yourself and cover much of the same area (conditions depending). Just make sure you go prepared and have plenty of warm clothes and extra food!!!!:lecture:
Michael
