Snow Reports
Visit Site: www.snowreports.co.nz
Project Overview
SnowReports is owned and operated by Cabbage Tree Creative and has been a long time hobby of our Chief Cabbage.
The site has historically been focused purely on providing up to date snow reports for New Zealand ski areas and, as such, it ticked along nicely in the background for some time, with only minor design modifications. In 2007 we launched a small mobile version and in 2008, an iPhone application.
2009 was the year of the redesign.
The Brief
Bring more user generated components to the site, add weather and road reporting, include the ability to book accommodation and do all of this in a cohesive and up-to-date design.
Our Solution
SnowReports incorporates the following tools…
- Six day weather forecasts
- Snow reports directly from ski area operators (core of the site)
- Web camera display from ski areas
- Road reports on snowfall, hazard and closure warnings
- Twitter feeds from the ski areas’ Twitter accounts
- Email sign-up forms and associated email marketing tools
- Accommodation and activity listings with live real time availability
- Directions for product listings, incorporating Google maps
- User uploaded imagery – capturing photographs from skiers
- News feeds
- Feature videos from Vimeo and YouTube
- Event listings
…all tied together in a fantastic new design.
Success Factors
Commitment to the cause: Our own sites are often left until last. However, this year there was a clear commitment to making it happen. This can often be the same for clients; the web is left until last and while the desire to make an improvement is there, the commitment is lacking. Stay focused, stay committed – it’s worth it.
Skilled developers and a cooperative approach to design meant the site was built and designed by the whole team at different stages.
We’re very proud of our new baby.
The Cabbage Tree team involved in the project were:
Project Manager:
Lawrence Smith
Designers:
Johnny Hall
Tracey Tam
Matt Nuthall
Development:
Paul Nicholls
Mike Nicholls
Jonathan Copson
Content Support:
Amelia Norman