Snowden on Ice

1997 American TV series or program Snowden on IceWritten byNancy Carlson, Buz Kohan, Gary Smith, Tony MichelmanDirected byDwight HemionStarringEkaterina Gordeeva, Daria Grinkova, Kurt Browning, Kenny RogersMusic byRandy GoodrumCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducersDann Netter, Gary Smith, Scott HamiltonEditorBruce MotyerOriginal releaseNetworkCBSRelease1997 (1997) Snowden on Ice is a musical holiday special aired on CBS in 1997. It was funded by Target Corporation.

[edit] Kate (Ekaterina Gordeeva) and her daughter, Lizzie (Daria Grinkova), moved to Kate's old hometown where Kate was taught to skate by her Grandpa Albert. His spirit lives on in Snowden, a snowman, who wears Albert’s old hat and scarf. Kate knows that Lizzie will not be accepted if she doesn't know how to skate, so she pushes Lizzie onto the ice. Kate's bitter rival, Shana (Josée Chouinard), and her students give Lizzie the cold shoulder and laugh at her when she falls. Lizzie comes off the ice in tears and Kate is reminded of when she fell down in one of her performances while attempting a difficult movement during her first competition for the Albert Trophy. Kate's fall allowed Shana to win the competition and all succeeding competitions except one that Bret (Kurt Browning) won only because Shana had a broken ankle and pneumonia. However, she still came in second place. This discouraged Kate, leading her to vow never to skate again. One night, while no one is watching, Kate summons up the courage to finally attempt skating once again. As she puts on her skates, Snowden comes to life. As Kate steps onto the ice her costume dramatically changes. Snowden skates with her, and as he does so changes into a cartoon. During the competition, Kate decides to spontaneously enter as a late entry. As there are no rules to the competition, she is allowed to perform. She wins and is promptly given the trophy by Shana, who has become less hostile. Scootch (Scott Hamilton), the narrator, Zamboni man, and old friend of Albert's, carries Lizzie to Kate. At the end, Lizzie goes out on the ice in an attempt to skate, encouraged by her mother's earlier performance. She skates with Snowden for a while before he transforms back into Albert (Kurt Browning), who starts teaching Lizzie how to skate as he had done with Kate. She sees this and smiles.

[edit] Ekaterina Gordeeva as Kate Daria Grinkova as Lizzie Josée Chouinard as Shana Scott Hamilton as Scootch Kurt Browning as Bret

The blend of glittering ice routines with classic holiday tunes gives "Snowden on Ice" a timeless charm. Audiences appreciate the visual spectacle of world‑class skaters like Ekaterina Gordeeva and Kurt Browning interpreting familiar carols, which turns a simple TV slot into a mini‑concert. The show’s choreography deliberately mirrors traditional Christmas pageants, swapping twirling choir members for blades and lifts. That theatricality makes it easy for families to slot into their annual viewing ritual, much like a modern counterpart to the old holiday variety shows that once dominated the airwaves.

When you cue up "Snowden on Ice", set the scene with a cosy living‑room arrangement: dim the lights, bring out a plush blanket and a bowl of mince pies. Keep a remote handy for pausing between the extravagant numbers – a quick stretch or a sip of mulled wine keeps the excitement fresh. Because the programme is relatively short, it works well as an intermission between dinner and dessert, giving kids a visual treat while adults finish the gravy. Pair the viewing with a themed snack, like sugar‑sprinkled popcorn shaped into tiny snowflakes, to echo the icy aesthetic.

Target’s sponsorship of the 1997 special is an early example of brand integration in holiday programming. Rather than overt product placement, the retailer funded the production, ensuring a polished, family‑friendly product that reflected its own image of festive generosity. This subtle partnership paved the way for modern sponsorships where brands back holiday specials to associate themselves with wholesome traditions. Understanding this backdrop helps viewers see the show as more than entertainment – it’s a calculated piece of marketing that successfully embedded itself into the seasonal media landscape without feeling like an advertisement.