The failure of the Nino to develop and the tropical forcing (MJO) mostly focused in the warm phases doomed the forecasts.
Had that not been the case would it have been different? Maybe, maybe not. I'm convinced the NAO is the problem here and I'll argue anyone who wants to argue that. And I'm not sure if the Nino and MJO had cooperated that it would have made a difference.
History doesn't lie. Late 70's, 95-96, 02-03, 09-10 all big blocking winters and all colder and snowier than average. Sure, it snows without it, and can snow big. It may not cause bigger storms necessarily but it keeps cold highs in place, slows storm track and keeps storms south somewhat. Give me that anyday and I'd roll the dice over this fast, progressive, timing systems up with the high pressure over the ne rocketing out to sea pattern of late.