63 replies to this topic

[SJ-David]

Introducing SnowJapanResorts
www.snowjapanresorts.com

Last season we introduced an improved Resort Search feature on our main site.
While that was an improvement, we still wanted to try and find a way to move away from the idea of a basic search form and have spent time since then thinking through how we could further improve the experience.
We wanted something that was more visual.
Something that was more useful.
Something that allowed for much more detailed and flexible searches.
And something that was simple and fun to use at the same time.

SnowJapanResorts is the result of that process.

I will keep the explanations here to a minimum as we have prepared two Help pages that give details on what SnowJapanResorts is all about and ideas on how to use it.

If you intend to use it, please do read them as they will be a big help in getting to know the new site and also answer some of the main questions you may have.

>> About SnowJapanResorts
>> How to use SnowJapanResorts

On the above page you can find seven video demonstrations that show the site in action and some of the things that can be done.
Here is one of those videos, so please do take a look to get an idea of what it is all about

>> Video demo: 'The basics'

A very big thank you to the few people that helped with feedback and comments in the latter stages of development.

As always with things like this, and as much as we have spent literally months testing and fine-tuning, it can never really be called 'finished' and we do plan to continue to update things - in particular the 'useful info' that we have included for some resorts.
If you have any interesting info about a resort that you think would fit in (marketing blurb not included), please do let us know and we will consider adding it.

We hope that you like this new project, and are keen to hear your comments and impressions.

[SJ-David]

SnowJapanResorts is a fairly bandwidth intensive site.
While it is sitting all on it's own on a decent dedicated server, and should certainly be able to cope with greater than normal usage, hundreds of people accessing it at exactly the same time initially as we launch it may well cause issues (ie. slowdown).
As such, we are not linking in and announcing this on the main site just as yet - initially we are just going to announce it here on the Forums and we will see how things go and then link it all up on the main site.
Normal loading times are less than one minute - and on faster connections it will be much quicker than that. It may take a bit longer on slow connections.
But once the main site has loaded, things should be nice and smooth.

[DiGriz]

Looks like a lot of fun to play with! Nice work, guys!

[@tokyo]

WOW!

That looks incredible... never seen a website like that before actually.
Only had a quick play but looks a ton of fun.


(One thing you may or may not know about I tried to share facebook but the popup couldn't appear properly)

[SJ-David]

Thank you.
Yes aware of that problem @tokyo --- we couldn't test those links before going online as we didn't want to "share"
We will try to get that fixed up.

[pie-eater]

Unexpected.
It whizzes round and images flying around like magic!
Will play with new toy tonight.
Take a rest!!

[Man_In_Japan]

when I first saw this, my eyes were...

[Tazza]

That is just outstanding.
Never seen anything like it either but it works brilliantly.
Yikes. Top top notch bit of kit.
How long did it take you guys to come up with that? [And how on earth do you find the time??!]

[snowjunky]

Only just started browsing but love it already. So many facts & details - no wonder it kept you busy for a couple of hours
Seriously, outstanding job SJ team

[SJ-David]

This particular project has been in development for the best part of a year really.
I have only really been involved in the last few months as my colleagues hatched the ideas, did all the development work and shaped it.
They're now working on Stage 3, but that's a truly huge job and for next year.

Make sure you check out the vids and the help pages.... there is a lot to be discovered that isn't apparent when you first look. You can really delve deep!

Anyway I'm off now for some time off.
See you sometime next week.

[snowjunky]

Oh crikey I got so engrossed I forgot to go pick up my wife.....................you are troublemakers SJ
Must dash.

[JellyBelly]

That is very unique, I like it a lot.
Just has some fun comparing stuff in Nagano, Niigata and Hokkaido.
Amazing how many tiny tiny skijo places there are in Hokkaido.

Advances of truly mega proportions this year.
Congratulations, job very well done.

Will tell people about it. Have a good 'un!

[BagOfCrisps]

Thats pretty wild how the images come into focus and change sizes etc as you move around.
Very snazzy indeed!

Brilliant. Will sit down with this and check it out more tonight

[7-11]

Wild!
That made me laugh actually, very cool.

Sure is a big improvement on the search form.

[wendy-cake]

I had to download that Silver-thingy but it only took a minute or so and then I just had to refresh for it to appear.
What a wonderful idea way to learn about Japanese resorts.
I particularly like the expressway info things, that is really useful.


(How) do the resort reviews and ranking things get updated?

[SJ-Pete]

This site and the main SnowJapan site are on different servers and separate, but we have created a system whereby we can very easily bring over updated data from the main site to reflect on SnowJapanResorts.
So for example if a resort gets ranking votes, new photos or resort reviews on the main SnowJapan site, that new data will be reflected on the SnowJapanResorts site when we make the update.
We plan to do that at least once a day.

[big-will]

First impressions, very impressive and... unexpected.
Congratulations guys.

No-one can accuse you of standing still, that's for sure!

[1]

I can't get it to work!!

[1]

Oops, my mistake.
Working now.
Swooshy flying icon-tastic!

[wendy-cake]

SJ-Pete, on 24 November 2011 - 05:06 PM, said:

This site and the main SnowJapan site are on different servers and separate, but we have created a system whereby we can very easily bring over updated data from the main site to reflect on SnowJapanResorts.
So for example if a resort gets ranking votes, new photos or resort reviews on the main SnowJapan site, that new data will be reflected on the SnowJapanResorts site when we make the update.
We plan to do that at least once a day.

Interesting thanks.

Just spent half an hour playing around with it, can find some really great info from it all. It's addictive.

Didn't know that was how ALTS Bandai got it's name..... (go check it out)

Obviously a really huge amount of effort gone into this, it's very clean and polished.
Bravo!
Cheers for the tools.

Now........ snow please!