Mike Manara Appointed General Manager

A New Chapter Ahead for Mount Washington Alpine Resort:

MIKE MANARA APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER OF MOUNT WASHINGTON

For Immediate Release:

COMOX VALLEY, VANCOUVER ISLAND – June 24, 2025 – Pacific Group Resorts announced the appointment of Mike Manara as the new General Manager of Mount Washington Alpine Resort, effective July 1, 2025. A longtime Vancouver Island resident and a passionate skier and mountain biker, Manara brings almost three decades of resort operations experience to his new role.

Manara, who currently serves as Mount Washington’s Senior Director of Operations, has been a cornerstone of the resort’s growth and community engagement for over 25 years. His portfolio has spanned lift operations, snow sports schools, slopes grooming, rentals, retail, Nordic activities, special events, and summer programming including development of the Bike Park and Eagle’s Flight ZipTour.

“I’m just a guy who likes to ski,” Manara said with a smile. “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.”

His operational experience is matched by his connection to the Comox Valley community and a longstanding commitment to mountain culture, now raising his family here with those same values. Mike is also a founding volunteer board member of The United Riders of Cumberland (UROC) and worked for the organization more than a decade, including executing the land access agreement while serving as UROC’s president. This agreement still provides primary trail access in Cumberland today.

Mark Fischer, President and CEO of Pacific Group Resorts, Mount Washington’s parent company, noted, “Mike embodies the values that define Mount Washington—authenticity, passion, and a love for the outdoors. 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.”

Mike’s promotion comes as Dean Prentice, the resort’s current General Manager, prepares to retire after nearly a decade at the helm of Mount Washington. During his tenure, Prentice played a vital role in enhancing operations, investing in infrastructure, and expanding the resort’s appeal year-round.

“Dean has done an outstanding job leading Mount Washington through a transformative period,” added 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.”

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Media Contacts:
Christian Knapp This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(970) 331-3413

Kayla Stockton This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(250) 218-2918

ABOUT MOUNT WASHINGTON ALPINE RESORT
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just a 30-minute drive from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In the winter, guests enjoy five chairlifts and five carpet lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also operates 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing, and 25km of snowshoeing and fat biking trails, along with a dedicated world-class Nordic Centre facility, Raven’s Lodge.
Off-island visitors can use WestJet, Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines which provide air service to the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) or they can fly right into Comox Marina via Harbour Air. Additional carriers serving the Victoria Airport (YYJ). For more information, please visit www.mountwashington.ca.

ABOUT PACIFIC GROUP RESORTS
Pacific Group Resorts is an international resort operating company based in Park City, Utah whose portfolio includes Jay Peak in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort in the Beaufort Mountain Range on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Wisp Resort in the Appalachian Mountains of western Maryland, and Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa of western Colorado. Pacific Group Resorts also manages the mountain operations of Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, which is not owned by the resort operator. Combined the company operates over 4,000 acres of ski terrain serving about 1 million skier visits per year, 99 holes of golf, over 40 food & beverage outlets, over 4,000 pillows, plus tennis, pickleball, pools, a water park, athletic fields, a whitewater rafting course, numerous retail operations, spas, and a variety of other amenities. For more information, please visit www.pgri.us.

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