I would as soon light my house with candles as use a manual transmission after 20+ years of driving automatics. As to the icy-conditions argument, every automatic car has override 2nd/3rd gear positions for just such eventualities, & for use in hilly country, &c.
"Aim·&·steer" type drivers are just as likely to rush into top gear on a manual for the very purpose of aiming'n'steering ~~ that's a matter of personality, not of the vehicle being used to express it.

~Michael~