OC LIVE : KIDS : Arctic Blast : Knott’s Offers Snow, Ice, Thrills, Chills

Any snowman who thinks he could weather an Orange County winter must have slush for brains. But in Buena Park, there is one place where an icy dude can chill. That is, as long as he doesn’t mind kids and dogs.

Snow and ice are literally the bottom line at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Beagle Hill, a 150-foot-long sledding course for youngsters in the park’s Roaring ‘20s area.

The park also offers “Snoopy’s Twelve Days of Christmas on Ice,” a new family-oriented ice show inspired by the well-known Christmas tune.

Both continue daily through Jan. 1 and entrance to both is included with park admission.

Now in its 13th year, the Beagle Hill attraction is extremely popular with youngsters in preschool through early elementary school age, said park spokesman Bob Ochsner.

“People from Utah or Colorado take one look at it and think we’re crazy,” Ochsner said with a laugh. “But the little kids, especially the locals, go nuts over it.”

Rising 15 feet high at its peak, Beagle Hill has four sledding courses carved into the surface of the snow. Children pick up a red plastic sled at the bottom of the slope, climb a stairway to the top then choose one of the 150-foot long runs. On their way down, they’ll shoot past faux snowmen and pine trees to recorded holiday tunes, then coast gently into a small embankment of snow. Each ride lasts about 20 to 30 seconds and children are free to return as often as they like.

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Park employees need nearly three weeks and 450 tons of ice to build Beagle Hill every year, said Ochsner. Constructed over a wood frame, the slope’s snowy surface is made of chipped ice, replenished in the early morning hours while it is relatively cold.

Depending on the temperature and usage (Ochsner estimates there are about 4,000 runs in a typical day), park workers need as much as 4,500 pounds of chipped ice each day to maintain the surface.

Mittens or gloves and warm jackets are recommended for sledders. (If you forget, the park’s retail outlets carry some cold-weather gear.)

“The slope is under a canopy, so there’s no direct sun, and the air temperature can get into the low 40s,” Ochsner said. “And of course, it is snow, so you’re going to get wet.”

Those who prefer their entertainment on the dry side may opt for “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The new show replaces Knott’s ice-show adaptation of “The Nutcracker,” which ran during the holidays for the past several years. There are several performances daily at the Good Time Theatre.

Knott’s entertainment director Matt Schliesman said that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” has an “elegant, cultured tone to it . . . but not at the expense of family entertainment value.”

“The feel is kind of old European,” said Schliesman. “There are a lot of different dance styles--Scottish, French, Russian--it’s very continental and elegant, and there’s a lot of classical music.

“But I think it has a little broader appeal than ‘Nutcracker’ did [because] it strikes a good balance. There’s humor and bright visuals, but there’s also some very dramatic elements and some very intense, very powerful skating.”

And this being Knott’s Berry Farm, there’s also Snoopy. But the famed canine isn’t there just for comic relief, said Schliesman.

“This show really runs the full gamut, and Snoopy does too,” he explained. “He’s humorous, but he also does some stuff that is much richer and deeper than you would expect. He’s the glue that holds the whole show together.”

The new show was developed by Knott’s entertainment staff with Los Angeles-based Willy Bietak Productions, designers of professional ice shows, including several for Ice Capades. Knott’s 30-minute show has 13 scenes in all: an opening production number and one scene for each of the verses in the song.

Most of the scenes are not literal interpretations of the song, said Schliesman. There are no real geese a-laying or birds a-calling. There are, however, bird-like skaters who, through the wonders of Foy, actually “fly” over the stage. And as for those swans a-swimming, there are seven elegant, swan-like female skaters dancing over the ice a la “Swan Lake.” Musical accompaniments range from traditional carols to “Amazing Grace” to bagpipe music.

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Other seasonal offerings at the park include Knott’s annual Ghost Town Christmas Crafts Festival, a Victorian-themed event with costumed crafters demonstrating and selling their wares, strolling carolers, brass bands, choirs and performances of an abridged “Christmas Carol” and a stage version of O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi” in the Bird Cage Theatre.

Children can stock up on treats and visit with St. Nick and the missus in Santa’s Workshop. All the above activities are included with crafts festival admission, and festival visitors can be admitted to the ice show for an additional small fee.

* CHILDREN’S LISTINGS, FXX

* What: Beagle Hill and “Snoopy’s Twelve Days of Christmas on Ice.”

* When: The ice show and Beagle Hill are open daily (except Christmas Day) through Jan. 1. The Christmas Crafts Festival continues through Sunday. Call for operating hours.

* Where: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park.

* Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway, exit at Beach Boulevard and drive south.

* Wherewithal: Park admission is $29; $19 for ages 3-11 and seniors 60 and up (ages 2 and under are free). Southern California residents get a $2-$3 discount. After 4 p.m., admission for all ages is $14. Admission to the Ghost Town Christmas Crafts Festival only is $3.50; free to children under 12. Festival visitors can see the “Snoopy’s Twelve Days of Christmas on Ice” show for an additional $1-$2.

* Where to call: (714) 220-5200.