You and jasonw probably get alot more snow than I do, but we got 2-3 feet in one day last year and then a foot more (give or take a few inches) a few days later. South Dakota must have been buried last year. The AWD works as a limited slip differential and will transfer some torque away from the wheel that is slipping to the other wheel on the same axle or onto the other axle altogether. 4lock will lock the differentials and all the wheels will spin at the same speed which can bind the driveshaft. All the wheels move at the same speed around corners instead of the outside wheel spinning faster to compensate for the difference in distance or arc. It is weird to back up in 4lock or to turn out of your driveway in dry conditions as the wheels will chirp and not want to turn or backup. My wife had a habit of forgeting to turn off the 4x4 once she parked in the garage for the night,
FF

 

My wife owned a 2004 Jeep GC 4x4 before this, so she understands the whole 4x4 system (enough to use it or not use it, anyway).

We were buried at one point last year. I won't necessarily say more snow than what you got, but about the same maybe. Colorado and South Dakota get snow more often, perhaps, than you guys on the coast, but when you gets get hammered, boy do you get hammered.

 

Where I live, we don't get a lot of snow compared to other areas of Colorado, but we get our share. We travel frequently to places around Colorado though that get much more snow then our home town, so we need to have a pretty capable 4wd. We used to have a Jeep Liberty, and it did great, but the family just out grew it. So far, the Aspen has fit the bill for us. Just wish i could have a Hemi like that in my Ram.