Rick Torrey

Rick Torrey of Killington, also known as Richard Torrey, is the former owner and CEO of Basin Sports, Out Of Bounds Snowboard Shop, and True Wheels Bike Shop. His love for skiing and mountain biking led to the creation of these businesses, which he managed with dedication and vision. What began as personal hobbies eventually evolved into long-standing enterprises that became well-known within the local outdoor sports community. His early career started in the mid-1970s at an insurance company, where he worked as a programmer. Though his programming skills were notable, his primary role became technical support. He contributed to designing more efficient access methods for developing computer systems, offering improvements that exceeded what many leading firms were capable of at the time. Despite the potential for growth in that field, he eventually shifted focus to pursue business ventures aligned more closely with his interests. He grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved with his family to Ludlow at a young age. From early on, he worked various jobs such as bailing boats, mowing lawns, babysitting, painting houses, and managing two newspaper routes. These efforts helped him understand the value of hard work and saving, particularly as someone from a modest background. After high school, he continued to work full-time while attending school. He studied computer processing at a technical school and trained in Experimental Engineering. He also enrolled in night classes at local colleges. Between 1973 and 1975, he coached Little League hockey, helping a local team win regional tournaments despite his demanding schedule. In 1975, he bought his first home in Windsor, Connecticut, and transitioned to a programmer role at the insurance company. After purchasing a second home in 1986, he began looking toward entrepreneurship. He initially loaned money to a friend to buy a ski shop in 1987. When the shop closed in 1991, he purchased and took over it. With no retail background, he taught himself the ins and outs of the industry and worked to turn the shop around. His dedication transformed the business into a top-performing ski shop, consistently recognized for excellence over the next 32 years. He opened a snowboard shop in 1996 and a bike shop shortly after. That same year, his daughter joined the business, and his wife became the full-time CFO in 2010 after helping part-time. Over time, he led six construction projects, expanding the space from 1,000 to 24,500 square feet. Even at the height of success, he remained focused on innovation and improvement. When he sold the business in August 2022, it had become the top ski retail operation in the area. Today, Rick Torrey spends his winters skiing and his summers mountain biking and enjoys traveling. After retirement, he reflects on a life of persistence, responsibility, and a steady commitment to doing things correctly.