Project: Designer, Developer, Product Lead
Years: 2014–2018
Sector: Tourism, Recreation, E-Commerce
Technology: Drupal, real-time snow reports, interactive scrollytelling trail map, e-commerce for passes and events, media contributor workflows
Introduction
Whitewater Ski Resort, nestled in British Columbia, is beloved for its powder and pristine mountain experience. To better serve its guests year-round and support the resort’s brand, we developed a comprehensive digital platform that blends live mountain data with engaging storytelling and seamless e-commerce.
The objective was to create a rich online experience that helped visitors plan their days in detail—checking snow conditions, trails, and events—while also enabling straightforward purchase of passes, rentals, and tickets.
The Challenge
Key challenges included:
- Delivering real-time snow reports that are reliable and updated frequently to ensure visitors get accurate information before heading to the mountain.
- Designing an interactive trail map that provides an engaging, scroll-driven narrative showcasing the mountain’s features, terrain, and stories.
- Integrating e-commerce capabilities so users could easily buy lift passes, lessons, and event tickets online with confidence.
- Supporting workflows for media contributors, including photographers and videographers, to share high-quality content that boosted engagement across channels.
- Reflecting Whitewater’s strong brand identity online while balancing practical functionality.
The Solution
Building on a Drupal foundation, we crafted a digital suite with several standout features:
Real-time Data Integration
Snow reports and weather data were fed into the site on a consistent schedule, ensuring dynamic, trustworthy updates. This information became a critical resource for visitors planning day trips or multi-day stays.
Interactive Scrollytelling Trail Map
We designed a narrative-driven map experience allowing users to explore the mountain visually and interactively. As visitors scroll, key trails, landmarks, and resort highlights unfold, combining storytelling with functional wayfinding.
Robust E-Commerce
Integrated e-commerce capabilities enabled sales of:
- Lift tickets and season passes
- Equipment rentals and lessons
- Special event registration and merchandise
The platform supported secure transactions and streamlined purchase workflows.
Contributor Media Workflows
Photographers and videographers could upload and manage content with clear guidelines and effortless collaboration tools. This rich media pipeline enhanced marketing efforts and the resort’s storytelling appeal.
The Approach
- User-centered design: Balanced engaging content with practical info for diverse visitors—from first-timers to seasoned skiers.
- Agile development: Iterative releases incorporated user and stakeholder feedback to refine features and ensure reliability.
- Brand alignment: The web experience was crafted to strengthen Whitewater’s distinctive mountain brand and community presence.
- Scalable architecture: Drupal’s flexibility allowed for ongoing updates, seasonal adjustments, and evolving resort needs.
Impact
- The digital suite significantly enhanced guest planning with timely and interactive mountain information.
- Online sales of passes and event tickets increased, improving revenue streams and customer convenience.
- The resort’s story and brand were amplified, connecting deeply with both local and visiting communities.
- Operations gained efficiencies through contributor workflows and integrated digital management.
Reflections & Lessons Learned
Whitewater Ski Resort’s digital transformation demonstrated the power of integrating live data with storytelling and commerce to create a comprehensive guest experience. Providing users with accurate, dynamic mountain information alongside easy online purchasing increased both satisfaction and engagement, setting a new digital standard for winter resorts.
