I live in MN and we get plenty of snow and ice. We just had a snow/ice storm pass through yesterday and our Traverse handled it perfectly fine. Here's my experience with FWD, RWD, 4WD, AWD.
I've driven RWD vehicles most of my life and I've always been able to handle the snow and ice. The only time I put it into 4WD is when the snow is really deep and the plows aren't out yet or when there are ice storms. And with 4WD, it helps to get going from a dead stop. As the saying goes, use RWD to get into trouble and 4WD to get out of trouble.
My wife has driven FWD vehicles with traction control and ESP, Stabilitrack, or whatever each automaker calls their system. I feel that combination is the same as AWD in regular driving conditions (i.e. not offroad, mudding, towing, etc.).
The FWD Traverse with traction control and Stabilitrac is a great handling vehicle. I don't see the need to get the AWD unless I was towing or offroading (and I wouldn't consider the Traverse an offroading vehicle). But the nice thing about the Traverse is that the 2WD and AWD version have the same fuel economy. Which isn't usually the case. I know if I slap my truck into 4WD, the fuel economy drops like a brick. And it's easier and cheaper to work on a FWD system than an AWD system.
But it all boils down to your driving style and experience. If you feel more comfortable and safe with AWD then go for it. My personal style is that I love driving RWD vehicles. My wife's driving style is to drive vehicles with at least FWD and some sort of stability control.
Here's my rating from worst to best for driving in snow and ice:
4. RWD = Takes constant vigilance since the rear end wants to swing out and is challenging on icy roads.
3. FWD = Good enough but will have problems going from a dead stop on icy roads.
2. FWD w/ Stabilitrac = AWD = Great handling vehicles.
1. AWD w/ Stabilitrac = The only thing different than #2 is the better handling while towing on bad roads.
My 2 cents.