I run it in the same snow you do and think it works great. I have had it at Roman nose and the blues and don't think it trenches bad at all from the harder compound. Really works great in the wetter snow of course.
The change from 2.25 didn't change clutching one bit. Stock 2010 M8.
I have a 2.25 85 duro on an m1000, and imo it is much better than the 80 duro in any snow. Also have an m1100t with 85 duro 2.6 and i see no drawbacks at all. This is in wyo sugary snow, and I am sure that it is even better in the heavier stuff.