I use my alky in winter, usually with the fuel in my pocket for a cup of tea - works fine as long as I'm not dealing with cold fuel. so I take it on dayhikes a lot.

I *could* melt snow just fine over it. *if* I was willing to carry all the fuel for it. But I do know I need a lot more weight of fuel to melt snow for water if I'm carrying alcohol than if I'm carrying white gas.

I'm sure mushers are much less worried than I am about the weight of the fuel - or the efficiency of the stove.