Blizzaks will go through anything, but you'll get lucky to get two winters out of them if you're doing any sort of regular pavement driving (again depending on how much you drive). They're just really really soft (Which is why they grip like crazy)
I've got Winterforces on my truck and they are great, I hardly put any miles on it so I really don't know about treadwear.
If I wanted the best snow tires I'd buy Nokian Hakkapeliittas, but they aren't cheap, although they will out last the Blizzaks by a long run.