Gaylord, MI – Barry Owens, who has been named the new general manager of Treetops Resort in Gaylord, confirmed this week that there will indeed be skiing and snowboarding at the Michigan resort this winter.nOwens acknowledged that there was some public perception that the resort has been treading water because of various changes in management. He believes that by bringing a fresh approach seasoned by his years at Garland Resort in Lewiston, Mich., he can reinvigorate the resort as a year-round golf and skiing attraction.

“We want to put to rest any talk that we might close down for the winter,” Owens said on Thursday. “We will be fully open with better skiing conditions than ever before.”

Under Owens’ stewardship, Garland Resort achieved AAA’s four diamond rating, the highest hospitality rating of any such facility in Michigan. He will now supervise all operations of the year-round Treetops Resort.

Owens spent 24 years at Garland, rising through the ranks to become president of the Lewiston resort. Garland was sold last August and Owens left earlier this year. He was a consultant for Treetops management through the summer and was persuaded by Rick Smith, Treetops’ managing partner, and his executive committee to stay on as the permanent general manager.

“I’m really excited,” Owens said. “Obviously, I’ve known of Treetops and Rick Smith from day one and admired the resort from a far and I am excited to be working with Rick and the staff here and I look forward to the opportunity to become part of the Treetops family.”

“Barry brings a wealth of hospitality and management experience to Treetops, and is very familiar with the Northern Michigan market,” says Mark Ridenour, a member of Treetops’ executive committee.