Case Study: Valle Nevado Ski Resort Website Development

Background:

Valle Nevado Ski Resort's website was in dire need of an update due to its outdated visual style, poorly designed template pages, low information density, and lack of updates, which led to an unstable server and software. As part of the Cron team, I was tasked with redeveloping the website to address these issues and incorporate a new branding design.

Challenges:

One of the main challenges faced during the development process was the late arrival of the new branding design, which required significant adaptations to the website's pages. Additionally, the site needed to be available in three languages and had to accommodate a large amount of information.

Solution:

To tackle these challenges, I utilized WordPress as the content management system and the Cwicly framework for rapid design iterations and clean code management. WordPress's robust content management capabilities made it an ideal choice for handling the site's extensive content and allowing the site owners to easily edit and update information themselves. Furthermore, this setup enables future integration of the content into other media, such as a mobile app.

I took the initiative to manage the server myself on Digital Ocean, ensuring that the website remains up-to-date and performs optimally. The new website boasts improved user experience with less clutter, better-optimized page layouts, and a clearer overall design. The external agency's new branding design gives the site a fresh and modern look.

The Cwicly workflow allows for extremely fast content creation, with most new pages taking less than an hour from conception to design and implementation. This ensures that the site remains current and engaging.

While I was responsible for around 85% of the site's development, it's important to note that I was part of the Cron team and did not create the initial Figma design. However, when the client presented the new branding design late in the development process, I adapted and redesigned a significant portion of the site to ensure a cohesive and effective final product.

Results:

Although the website is still in its early stages of operation and metrics are not yet available, the client's satisfaction with the project is a testament to the significant improvements made. The use of a quick turnaround system for creating new content ensures that the site will remain fresh and up-to-date.

Innovative Features:

In addition to the fast content creation system, I incorporated experimental micro-animations into the UI using Rive and plan to add 3D elements in the future using Spline, further enhancing the site's visual appeal and user engagement.

Conclusion:

The redevelopment of the Valle Nevado Ski Resort website showcases the successful implementation of a modern, user-friendly, and easily maintainable platform. By leveraging WordPress, the Cwicly framework, and a custom server setup, we were able to overcome challenges and deliver a website that meets the client's needs and provides a foundation for future growth and expansion.