When I first got the tractor, I had a gravel driveway. I'd pack down the first few snowfalls to get a solid base, then mostly use float.
About 5 years ago I got it paved, and now I use float all the time, with the contact feet fully retracted. (Yes, I go through scraper blades every 2-3 years, but I have a steel fabricator nearby who can whip out new ones for less $$ than the factory part.)
BUT-- I will use downforce, lifting the front wheels up, if I encounter packed-down (driven on

) snow, which quickly turns to ice. I'm on a north-facing slope, and learned the hard way that if I don't get it ALL off, it'll begin to melt with any sun, then flow downhill and turn into black ice by the next morning.
On unpaved areas --a path all the way around the house for emergency egress, for example-- I'll hold it up an inch or two to try to spare the lawn areas, but otherwise, I keep it in float nearly all the time now.
BTW-- Contrary to the pic below, I now keep the BH off all the time for snow removal-- it was great for traction, but was just too much weight on the rear when going uphill and I'd lose any steering ability.