Even without studs the Arctics are good. My experience with the original Michelins (Arctic Alpins) was mixed. Horrible snow traction with good ice traction. Worst of all is that they howled on wet pavement at highway speeds. I have never heard a tire that was so loud. Michelin has come a long way since those.
I had those Alpins. Found them generally very good except in heavy wet snow, where they spun helplessly. Only ran into that once, on a trip to BC. Did a lot of shoveling that day.
