The nicest thing about studded snow tires is when they come off.
This season I sprung for a second wheelset. That was a total revelation. Everything except for the tires and tubes are the same as on my three-season wheelset. I grind along with the snows, then fly with the road tires. The snows have increased my leg strength though.
I did the same thing. I put the 294's on my older wheels, and built a new set with CK classics and XC717's. Now I don't have to wrestle the steel bead twice a year!