errr isn't "melting [snow for] water" the purpose of a winter stove?

If you DO want to melt large quantities of snow, in mediocre cold or if you wish to boil smaller quantities in real cold and wind, you would be much better off with a higher Btu stove. In really cold and wind, alcohol (in a tiny stove) may never boil your water. White gas has a lot more energy per pound than alcohol. There are many reasons why most winter campers do not use alcohol. I would imagine that for dog mushers its a matter of economy or availability or safety maybe, that makes them choose alcohol.

Maybe some just use the same setup all year for simplicity. Since I have collected stoves, I have a choice...

Jim