Ok, so this is not the most timely topic, being the end of winter, but I am thinking ahead, for next winter. Currently I have 2 General Altimax Arctic (studded)

http://www.imageinmotion.com/pics/general/generalarctic.jpg

They came with the car when I bought it last year. I bought it in the spring so no use last winter. This winter has been very mild, not much snow fall here in Maine. What snow we did get, they worked great, no complaints but I can seen the need for having them on the front as well.
My question is this; what happened to the old style, deep lug SNOW tires, as opposed to the newer WINTER tires?

http://www.vwparts.net/mm5/photos/lg/yoko700x15.jpg

Both are can be studded, so ice is not really the problem so what is the problem with them that they stopped using them? Yes the newer winter tires perform well on packed snow, ice etc. but what about deep loose snow? I can't see how they would be good for that with much more closed tread pattern than the old style. Yes I understand the physics and the hydrodynamics of the tires and how they work but still, are the newer winter tires good in deep/loose snow? I live in Maine, chances are very good that we will have a "normal" winter next time, which means MUCH more snow and snow covered roads. I am a volunteer fire fighter, I cant always wait until plows have been out before I go out. I am looking for tires that can get me there in 6"+ of un-plowed snow. Which, are really better for this? The new style or the old style?
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-Kilted Chaos Manager-