Front wheel requires weight for traction: is this applicable to icy conditions?
I'd look at which situations you are encountering tire slips in.  If you are encountering tire slips in cornering, studs are probably the way to go (or much more conservative riding).  If you are having trouble while you are braking, you may consider adjusting your technique to be much more rear brake heavy or rear brake alone.

I find that no matter what I do my pedal stroke is so sloppy and unbalanced that I almost never pedal on ice.  Generally I just try to coast over ice sections keeping my body as relaxed and centered as possible.  Major direction changes (without studs) are pretty much out as well.  I try to keep my weight off my handle bars so that I am not tempted to move the front wheel quickly or with any real force.  If you are going to try and turn the front wheel, it should be a feathered movement.  More than anything it takes practice and watching out for icy spots.  I probably fall (on ice) less than once a year now.  When I started riding in the winter (even with studs) years back it was probably closer to every other week.