You do realize that when you're in four feet of snow, you don't go straight to the ground. The snow under you compacts... and when it reaches your waist, the extra surface area of the groin region further impedes "sinking" into the snow. It wouldn't be exactly stable, but I'd say someone under four feet in height will only be chest-deep in snow at most.
Furthermore, they can burrow. ;)
Honestly, a small creature will probably walk around on top of deep snow without breaking through it. They have to walk carefully, but they aren't heavy enough to break right through like a medium creature.
I'm thinking of when my town got hit by a blizzard 20 years ago and had like 3+ feet of snow for a week. "Letting the dog out" meant helping him onto the snow pack, and he'd just wander around on top and do his business on top of it.
If a 12 year old dog with arthritis could walk around on top of deep snow just fine, I'm sure an agile halfling or small animal companion could too.
I'd allow a small creature to move at half-speed in the snow, but maybe need to start making acrobatics (balance) checks if they need to move faster, to avoid sinking in.
If they're dumb enough to attempt tumbling or jumping on it though, they should sink in and they're suddenly at 1/4th movement.
Not quite. That was snow that had a chance to freeze. And dogs have four legs which help displace weight better.
That said, the snow by the Winter Portal may very well have frozen (especially as it's rather windy in the area because of the portal). Combat in that snow would probably have them sink into it unless they're wearing snowshoes.
I'm curious how many snowshoes are going to be built once my group finds the dead guy who has snowshoes! ^^;;
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My group carried one halfling and pulled another on a impromptu sled made from a shield. I did not change the penalty but the party thought it made more sense. Some of the party meta gamed a little bit (lol) and prepared based on the players guide, so they had snow shoes and cold weather gear available. The halflings characters did not but the party quickly realized that they would have to do something...it worked out well. I am assuming once they get to Irrissen they will all have snow shoes and the such.
Here's an interesting question: Do LARGE creatures suffer a movement penalty due to snow which, to them, would not be that deep? I mean, I cannot see a giant being at all impeded by regular snow and might treat deep snow like a medium-sized creature treats regular snow.