+1 on the studded tires, I use Nokian W160s and they have sufficed in any situation. I'm not so sure about the rear brake only argument. I'm certainly more careful with my front brake on ice and snow, but I tend to use it, without problem so far. Perhaps that advice doesn't apply because the studded tires generally have pretty good grip? The stopping distance using rear brakes only would force me to slow down way more than I'd like to. Again, I understand where that advice comes from but I'm just not sure it's applicable 100% of the time we have snow/ice. Now, if I wasn't riding studs, well, I wouldn't be riding at all.
Great advice in this thread.