DUDE!
I seriously think I just found the perfect used ski car.
SUZUKI SX4.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2007/01/suzuki-sx4/
It sounds odd, and believe me, I was mixed when I first saw this. I sort of wish I would have bought this for my next vehicle... but that is a different story.
High points:
-TONNES of room - fold down seats for carrying, and 4 passengers plus a nice trunk when you need it
-FWD, AWD AND 4WD. That is the craziest most awesome mix of drives that you've ever heard. TRUST me, proper 4WD is fucking insane. THe worst storm in the universe mixed with the shittiest ice of all time with REAL 4WD will be your absolute bitch. You get the gas efficiency of FWD, and the choice of AWD or 4WD dependant on how fucked up things are.
-Reliability. I've done DEEP research, and the Suzuki cars get extremely high reliability models, especially used. I've got an account at consumer reports, and have matched this with deep website/blog research - the SX4 - even the 2007 one - is reliable as all hell get out.
Give it a chance. its cheaper to fix, cheaper to buy, has the gas efficiency of FWD most of the time, and more space than basically anything else out there.