Mephesto claims the ice man was frozen for almost 3 years; frozen in 96. Which makes it, at the time, 99. But SP first aired in 97. They start their seasons in the spring and resume their second half in the fall, as opposed to other show seasons which begin in the fall - so if it's only season two, how could three years have passed? was there some extended break in episode release?

I'm pretty sure that the first episode aired on August 13th 1997, this would mean that the first season crossed over 97-98 because the last episode of season 1 aired on February 2nd 1998.

The Prehistoric Ice Man episode aired at the start of 1999, 20th January (My birthday ). The second season did start in 98 though.

There is always a long break between first half and second half season and also a break from second to first season. Correct me if I'm wrong. Also there has been a break until 12th march then season 12 will start.