A new experiment!
I have spent the morning attempting to clear the driveway - I'm still only half done

- and during the clearing I was able to walk on the snow while leaving only a 1/4 inch footprint. This worked for walking with a heavy shoveful of snow and while running across the surface.
Data:
Snow depth - approximately 3.5 inches
Snow type - very heavy and dense, but neither frozen over nor melting
Unfortunately, in an area of lighter snow, I was unable to remain on the surface.