Provided with the proper tires, any BMW SAV is a capable vehicle. In the winter esp. where you live, winter tires are recommended for optimum traction and control. However, once fitted with the proper tires, the X5 pretty much plows thru snow that might leave other SUVs spinning their wheels.

Last Feburary when our area had a foot of frozen snow (it was snow, then sleet, then freezing rain to make sure it was really frozen), our X3 with winter tires went straight thru unplowed roads without much trouble. It never got stuck, ever. I drove through snowdrifts and the X3 was willing. The steering is communicative to the point where you can feel whether it has traction or if the front wheels are slithering.

As for the off-road part, use your judgement. I took it on a dirt ATV course in August in the mountains in Western MD (vehicles permitted). It did not get stuck as it clambered over boulders and uneven mounds of dirt. And this was no walk in the park; Hill Descent Control was necessary on most of the downhills I experienced. However, I imagine it would be impossible if it was wet or muddy. But I highly doubt anyone is going to actively go seek out trails of this nature. Your average farm or dirt road is fine.

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