There are different textures of snow depending on the temperature when it fell and the temperature after it fell. Sometimes it can be very granular like large sand particles. Other times it can come down as large light flakes the size of a relatively large coin. It can be a meter thick and you can kick it up like feathers. Other times it can be very dense and humid.

I don't ride in the winter but I know plenty that do. They've described their ideal conditions as being several days after a snowfall, with relatively cool temperatures (-10C) and after the hikers/snowshoers have packed down the trails. That gives a nice solid surface that offers decent traction and is still fun to ride through.

I gather that riding through deep snow is no fun, probably very similar to riding through sand but with less give since sand will not compress but snow will.