best ski resort websites

[mark]

hello everyone,

what do you feel are the best ski resort websites out there and what do you like about them?

thanks
mark

[snowman]

you're gonna get sick of me :-)

http://www.madriverglen.com/
good -web cam, conditions, new text on main page, more detailed info one click away, pics and movies are motivating (even if kind of amateurish) bad - ugly site - whiteface.com looks much better. more professional

http://www.jaypeakresort.com/en/jay_peak/
good - new text saying what is going on for the day, weather and conditions available on drop-down, pics of the day are motivating - bad- how slow the header loads

[mark]

not at all. thanks for the feedback...

check out the new project coming up

http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/onmtn.php

m.

[NPN]

http://www.snowbird.com/

Lots of current info right up front.

But, in all fairness, I don't find all that much wrong with the Whiteface site.

Like the 'Bird's site there's always a great series of pictures that get you right into the spirit of the place. Current events, and promotional info are right there as well.

Sure, I prefer the weather stats/snow status on the header, but it's just not that big a deal, especially when you get familiar with the site, to get everything you need in one, or two clicks.

Although, I would suggest that like the 'Bird site you keep the winter header on the summer page.

[NPN]

http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/onmtn.php

Nothing wrong with that for getting a body in the mood ( even though it reminds me that I have to wait another six months for it to happen ).

BTW, what happened to the intermediate trail that was supposed to open up along with the one expert trail? The way this reads it'll just be the one trail for '08/'09 even thought the intermediate trail has already been cut.

[highpeaksdrifter]

I like the interactive trail map at Stowe.

http://www.stowe.com/mountain/trail_map/flash/index.html

[highpeaksdrifter]

not at all. thanks for the feedback...

check out the new project coming up

http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/onmtn.php

m.

That's nice and the glade area looks hugh.

If I'm reading the description right only the expert run will open this season. I had heard a rummor that the cost of running snowmaking pipe up the intermediate trail might put that trail on hold for 2008/2009. Is that the deal?

[Face4Me]

not at all. thanks for the feedback...

check out the new project coming up

http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/onmtn.php

m.

That's nice and the glade area looks hugh.

If I'm reading the description right only the expert run will open this season. I had heard a rummor that the cost of running snowmaking pipe up the intermediate trail might put that trail on hold for 2008/2009. Is that the deal?

That will be a major bummer ... I was really looking forward to that trail!!!

[Harvey44]

Another thing about mad river...a weather blog that GIVES IT TO YOU STRAIGHT.

Got to love that.

And you are right that is a "hugh" amount of tree skiing. It'll be a lot of work to clear that by fall.

[ssface]

Hi Mark,

I like Jay Peak's site. It is very current every morning. It really tells it like it is in a simple down to earth writing style...very little canned marketing lingo. They tell the good and bad of current and anticipated conditions and weather.

You also might want to check out Burke Mountain's site in VT.....simple but effective.

Cheers!

[mark]

thanks ssface

i'll take a look

m.

[ssface]

Mark

Another suggestion:

Several ski area web sites (e.g. Jay Peak) allow the public to sign up for daily conditions/activities to be sent out each morning as email automatically. When I log on each morning the Jay Peak report is sitting in my 'in basket'. This gets info in front of the customers quickly. It is optional and users can unsubcribe whenever they want to.
I don't recall if WF.com has this feature or not.

thx

[snowman]

good point ssface - the Jay 424 newsletter is something I always look at, even though I only ski Jay once or twice a year. It usually states the conditions in common language, has some current news and some future events. Just enough to make it worth reading. I think I have some copies filed away in my email if Mark is interested.
It must take some effort to keep things so current...

[mark]

thanks snowman,

please forward to my email directly mark@orda.org

thanks so much

mark

[NPN]

Mark

Another suggestion:

Several ski area web sites (e.g. Jay Peak) allow the public to sign up for daily conditions/activities to be sent out each morning as email automatically. When I log on each morning the Jay Peak report is sitting in my 'in basket'. This gets info in front of the customers quickly. It is optional and users can unsubcribe whenever they want to.
I don't recall if WF.com has this feature or not.

thx

Now that is a brilliant idea SS. Also a great marketing tool. I signed up for Jiminy Peak's daily conditions over six years ago, and to this day I still get the report like clockwork every day they are open.

[mark]

that is a very nice service.

we are presently looking for ways like that to provide services to our customer base

thanks
mark

[Denison]

There is actually Whiteface e-mail coming about once a month. It does not post daily condition reports, but reveals some bold winter prognosis:


"One night last week it was 27 degrees in the Adirondacks so that means winter will begin in about 3 weeks." :shock:

Glad I received my new skis on Monday, just in time for winter :D

[NPN]

http://www.aspensnowmass.com/

Mark, sorry, I forgot this one before, but was painfully rerminded today after speaking with friends who called to rub in the fact that they just got in on the latest consecutive day opening ever.