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Resort Owners Say: "We Want Web Cams!"
By J.D. O'Connor
May 29, 2006
Sure, you can shell out what Ken Lay used to pay his wife's personal trainer and get yourself a bells-and-whistles Pisten Bully, maybe even a six-seat Leitner high-speed chair, embarrassingly plush with pull down weather-protection bubble and heated seats.
But is that what your customer wants to see on your mountain when they arrive?
Attendees at last month's Salon de l'Amenagement de la Montagne gathering in Grenoble exhibited quite a bit of interest in a high-tech - but comparatively low cost - ski-related gizmo which is turning out to be du rigeur for resort operators this year. And it's something guests want to see before they visit you.
The Web cam. That's right, that little Cyclops that sits atop your computer - the unblinking one whose reputation has been sullied by the adult industry and a history of chunky images, finicky technology, and the high cost of maintenance.
Only this new breed of camera features high resolution images strung together with software and featuring panoramic 360 degree views in 704x576 pixel resolution. Spotted strategically around your mountain and connected to a LAN or the Internet with a simple router, they provide instant snow reports to eager skiers - and tour operators - cruising the Web in search of a real-time take on your weather.
In some cases, this new breed of megapixel mountain cams are being fitted with solar heating units and WiFi links, making it possible for them to be spotted in remote areas away from their usual haunts near the lifts and lodge. So far, the technology appears to have been more readily embraced in Europe, with resorts there busily tweaking the technology to their needs. Some have been adapted for use in anti-crime efforts, the cameras silent witnesses against theft.
But the Americans aren't far behind. Soon, skiers will be able to get a real-time glimpse of their favorite hill from hundreds of miles away - actionable information they will use to book trips and tours. And all for a fraction of the cost of that Pisten Bully.
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This is supported by online customer surveys we did during my time with Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, the joint venture of three ski resorts in Banff, Canada. I would guess 80-90% of respondents said they wanted to see more pictures and WEBCAMS! This is obviously very important to those seeking their next ski vacation destination.
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Posted by: Rob Hughes | May 30, 2006 09:25 AM
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One of the most popular features in OnTheSnow.com are the resort Web cams. Resorts report huge click-through numbers back to their Web sites from the cams. I remember (in the old days of the Web) when ski area marketing pros did not like to run the cams because they were afraid the images could (or would) keep guests away if the image was not of high quality with lots of blue sky, snow, and happy faces. Like a professional snow report, resorts are understanding that skiers and riders will get the real story regardless of how hard a ski area tries to hide it. What's really different is how fast skiers spread the word - good or bad. |
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Posted by: Rob Brown | May 30, 2006 09:39 AM
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I used them every time I planned a trip last season. Invaluable. And if an area didn't have one or it was down... I moved to ones that did. |
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Posted by: robin eakes | May 30, 2006 10:01 AM
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Now if we can just get the resort owners to maintain their cameras!!! I kept an eye on one in Colorado that was fixed on the side of a barn or tool shed or something all winter and was never adjusted. That's a big waste. I use them all the time. |
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Posted by: Patty Johnson | May 30, 2006 11:21 AM
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Just attended a conference where this was discussed. One of the biggest advantages available for a ski resort application and at a relatively low cost. It's the way of the future and people are quickly learning of the advantages derived by their EFFECTIVE use. |
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Posted by: Astrid Bergen Web Technologies Ltd. | June 24, 2006 01:31 PM
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