I thought about this thread when I skied at Killington yesterday, 55deg and mostly sunny. I had three skis in the box. Race skis (72mm), Carving skis (78mm), and twin tips (101mm). Figured I ski my Laser AX's (78mm wide) since they are a very versatile ski. I started a bit late, and took one run on them in the very soft snow that was on its way to melting into slush. The AX's were controllable and skiable, but they were cleaving the snow and sinking into it. Didn't feel great in those conditions. Quick trip to the car and out came the 101mm wide Ski Logik Chariots. An oldie but goodie. A fully cambered twin tip with very wide tips and tails to go along with the 101mm underfoot. Perfection. They rode on top of the snow, no cleaving on carves, just smooth turns, and all the small clumps of snow on the trail were hardly felt.
That is why skis are so wide, even on the ice coast, we still have spring on our coast. Granted you have to get it while it lasts, and it can change quick. One of the skiers in my group was on 85mm skis and asked what does it take to make skiing more enjoyable in this heavy mushy snow, my answer: wider skis. Its about the right tool for the job and deciding how big a tool box you want to have.