I don't remember having this many troubles or being this concerned about getting stuck in any of the previous winters. I believe that the culprit is the thick layer of ice that formed when our temperatures stayed above freezing for a while a couple of weeks ago. This fluffy snow doesn't have anything to bond with. Thus, we not only have the problems with the depth of the snow (which alone is manageable) and with the thick layer of ice (which can also be manageable), but with the monstrous hybrid of the two.
Don't tell Mera, but I'm thinking more and more about getting a vehicle with a little more clearance and all-wheel drive.