I should make mention that Im Canadian and snow will not stop a Canadian. We eat snow for breakfast :)
I used to think the way you did until I lived in the south for a few years. It's very different from up north. Not sure what it is but ice seems to form in a different way in the south and it is very treacherous. Maybe it's because the ground is warmer. Not sure. But just because you're used to the snow up north don't think you can drive in it the same way in the south.