Q.should ice plants be cut back in the winter
I lost 4 out of 6 plants last winter and there was a lot of dead areas in the plants that survived. I was afraid to cut this area out because there appeared to be healthy growth toward the plant ends.

Ice plants are considered quite hardy, and no one seems to fuss over them that much. I would cut out the browned areas. You want to see new growth from the roots, not at the end of the branches. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/ice-plant/growing-hardy-ice-plant.htm