I'm not a snow person, I try to avoid the dreaded white stuff if at all possible (but I do carry chains year around, just in case). But, I have been stuck in sand and mud, and have used cool cushions (anyone remember them, they seem to be gone from most stores) for traction. In my experience, if what you put under the wheels for traction zings out, you have given the engine too much gas. Most people tend to do that, floorboard the throttle, thereby digging themselves in deeper. A light touch on the throttle is the way to go.

The heartache I have with traction mats is that, assuming that you want to keep them, you have to stop and go back for them, often getting stuck again in the process. Once I get going I like to keep going...