Without getting into the "which is better a winch or a traction mat" debate, I offer the following proposition:
The simplest and easiest method for solving a problem is usually the best solution.
Throwing down a traction mat, some asphalt shingles or a few pieces of carpet is most often all it takes to get unstuck in snow or through a patch of ice. Why would one want to pull out the winch controller shackles, unspool cable or synthetic line, find an anchor point, perform a winching operation and then put everything away without trying the easy method first?