John,
I would say AWD makes the car or truck more idiot proof than 4WD as AWD can be running the whole time, 4WD you have to conciously decide when you need it and have to disengage it on high traction surfaces. I've heard subaru offers their cars with hi/low range in australia which combined with a lockable centre differential is the ideal drivetrain. I know dodge pickups are set up this way now as well.
Skid control or vehicle stability management can work on any car but I guess having AWD in addition would be slightly better than 2wd. It doesn't break the laws of physics though, go to fast into an icy corner and the car will make a nice controlled arc off the road instead of spinning out with locked up tires. Probably if you had a choice you'd want to go off the road backwards anyways, all the expensive parts are at the front!
I'm kind of a luddite when it comes to electronic stuff on my cars, I'm not really even interested in ABS let alone stability control, I like manual transmissions and even roll up my own windows and use my key in the door locks! I am considering a scangauge though, it seems to be a very useful bit of electronics.
Ian