Sam
That's it exactly. In snow, you want to be using the minimum amount of torque possible to move. Since rolling resistance is virtually non-existent in snow, most cars don't have a problem starting even in 3rd gear when they're on the white stuff.

Automatic boxes can be somewhat challenging in snow. Most autos have a 'winter' setting. The better ones talk to the engine ECU to limit wheel torque, as well as automatically selecting higher gears. The cheaper nastier ones just lock out 1st gear.

Edit: Spakkaman: TGB did that as well. She stripped me off and forced me to dance around in the snow, laughing manically at my ice-shrunken appendage.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Tue 3 Feb 2009, 9:14, Reply)