SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, June 24, 2025—Pacific Group Resorts (PGR) has promoted Zach Marlowe and Mike Manara to serve as general managers of Wintergreen, Va., and Mount Washington, British Columbia, respectively, effective July 1.
Zach Marlowe and Mike Manara
“These internal promotions reflect our ongoing commitment to cultivating leaders from within and speak to the deep bench strength across our organization,” said PGR chief marketing officer Christian Knapp. “Zach and Mike exemplify the opportunities for professional growth we strive to offer at PGR.”
The transitions also mark the retirements of two industry leaders: Jay Gamble is stepping down after four years as GM of Wintergreen and more than four decades in the ski industry; and Dean Prentice is retiring after seven years at the helm of Mount Washington.
Zach Marlowe, Wintergreen, Va.
Marlowe is a 20-year veteran of the mountain resort industry. He joined the National Ski Patrol in high school, and after college, he stepped into the ski industry full-time at Liberty Mountain in Pennsylvania, advancing through a variety of departments, from lifts and snowmaking to guest services and risk management. Marlowe joined Wintergreen in 2015 and has served as its director of operations since 2018.
“My vision is for Wintergreen to be the kind of place where families and friends come together and have an amazing time,” said Marlowe. “We’ll keep dialing in the details that make each visit feel easy and special, which we will do largely by investing in our team—developing leaders, aligning departments, and creating a culture where people feel empowered and proud of their work.”
“Zach brings a contagious passion and a forward-thinking mindset that fits perfectly with Wintergreen’s trajectory,” said PGR CEO and president Mark Fischer. “His deep operational knowledge, approachable style, and commitment to people make him the ideal leader for this next chapter.”
Marlowe succeeds Jay Gamble, a seasoned industry executive who has been a general manager for 27 of his 44 years in the ski industry. He led New Hampshire’s Mount Sunapee for more than 20 years before becoming GM of Ragged Mountain, N.H., in 2018. He came to Wintergreen in 2021 and led the resort through a period of growth following the pandemic, strengthening operations and guiding strategic investments.
“Jay’s steady hand and thoughtful leadership propelled Wintergreen forward at a pivotal time,” said Mark Fischer. “Even though two of the four years he was at the resort were low snow years, he leaves the resort on strong footing, having built a sustainable foundation for Zach and the entire team to build upon. We’re grateful for his impact and wish him the very best in retirement in the new home he and his wife just built at Wintergreen.”
Wintergreen is a four-season resort with an 11,000-acre campus that offers 45 holes of golf, skiing and snowboarding on 27 trails served by five lifts, 22 racquet sport courts, 37 miles of hiking trails, and a variety of other amenities.
Mike Manara, Mount Washington, British Columbia
Manara has been part of Mount Washington Alpine Resort for more than 25 years. He currently serves as the Vancouver Island resort’s senior director of operations. His experience spans lift operations, snowsports schools, grooming, rentals, retail, Nordic activities, special events, and summer programming. He is a CSIA level 4 ski instructor, co-chair of the Snow Sports Committee for the Canada West Ski Areas Association, and a founding volunteer board member of The United Riders of Cumberland (UROC).
“Mike embodies the values that define Mount Washington—authenticity, passion, and a love for the outdoors,” said Fischer. “He’s earned the respect of his peers and staff through years of hard work and a genuine love for the mountain experience. He brings fresh energy and a clear vision for enhancing both the guest experience and the resort product.”
“I’m just a guy who likes to ski,” said Manara. “For me, it’s always been about sharing the joy of the mountain with our community. We’ve got an amazing crew here, and I’m excited to lead with a ‘ski-first’ mindset—focusing on making our wonderful terrain accessible, creating great snow surface quality, and enhancing the moments that create lifelong memories for our guests.”
Manara takes the helm as Dean Prentice retires as the resort’s general manager after being in the role since 2018. During his tenure, Prentice enhanced operations, invested in infrastructure, and expanded the resort’s year-round appeal. Prior to leading Mount Washington, he was general manager of Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa in British Columbia, and chief operating officer of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, also in British Columbia, before that.
“Dean has done an outstanding job leading Mount Washington through a transformative period,” said Fischer. “His dedication and professionalism have elevated the guest experience and positioned the resort for long-term success. We thank him for his leadership and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Mount Washington Alpine Resort has five chairlifts and five surface lifts accessing more than 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also operates 55 km of designated cross-country skiing and 25 km of snowshoeing and fat biking trails in winter, and a bike park and zip tour in summer.
