I've been thinking along exactly the same lines as DiskDoctr. The traction and stability control can be very handy, and can do things that we mortals can't, such as applying brakes to one or both wheels on one side only. Also, with wheel, yaw, steering angle, and deceleration sensors plus a fast little computer the system can react quickly.
But sometimes an experienced driver can do better, and it would sure be nice if the system could recognize driver intent and go into a bypass mode until the situation is over. Full throttle or something close is one signal I wish the system would pay attention to.
I've got lots of experience in snow, mostly from my younger years in a snowy state and with more primitive iron. I've experimented with my 4runner quite a bit and what I find is that it generally does very well accelerating, braking, and turning in slick situations. Traction control is a little conservative, but I usually get acceleration as good I could manage with careful use of my foot, and sometimes better. Plus it works just as well in reverse!
Lately I've been had traction and stability control disabled (a problem I just fixed) and I was surprised how easy it is to spin wheels, especially in 2WD. Even in 4WD, the power of the 4th generation 4Runners is enough to quickly get an inexperienced or inattentive person in trouble, and so I think it's a beneficial thing, on balance. Nonetheless I'd really like both a button to disable the aids and a system that paid attention when I gave it full throttle.