60Rick Torrey of Killington, also known as Richard Torrey, is the retired owner and CEO of Basin Sports, Out Of Bounds Snowboard Shop, and True Wheels Bike Shop. His deep interest in skiing and mountain biking eventually inspired him to build businesses centered around these outdoor passions. Through commitment and long hours, he developed each venture into a successful operation, earning respect within the industry and among customers alike.
Before entering the business world, he began his career in the mid-1970s at an insurance company, where he worked as a programmer. Although he had strong technical abilities, he spent most of his time in a support role. He made significant contributions, particularly by developing improved methods for accessing computer systems—methods that, at the time, even top companies struggled to create. Despite his talent in programming, his ambitions began shifting toward something more hands-on and connected to his interests.
He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved to Ludlow early in life with his family. As a child, he was constantly working—taking on jobs such as mowing lawns, babysitting, painting houses, bailing boats, and delivering newspapers on two separate routes. These experiences shaped his understanding of hard work and taught him the value of saving, which was especially important given his family's financial challenges.
After high school, he worked full-time while pursuing his education. He enrolled in a computer processing program at a technical school and also attended night classes at local colleges. From 1973 to 1975, he trained full-time in Experimental Engineering while coaching Little League hockey, where the team won regional championships under his guidance.
In 1975, he purchased his first home in Windsor, Connecticut, and accepted a position as a programmer. A few years later, after buying a second home in 1986, he laid the foundation for a new chapter. In 1987, he loaned a friend money to buy a ski shop, which unfortunately failed by 1991. He then purchased the business from the bank and took it over. With no background in retail, he committed himself to learning everything he could. His determination paid off, as the shop became a well-known leader in its category over the following 32 years.
He went on to open a snowboard shop in 1996 and followed it with a bike shop shortly after. That same year, his daughter joined the team, and his wife, who had been helping part-time, became the full-time CFO in 2010. He oversaw six construction projects, expanding the business from 1,000 square feet to 24,500 square feet. His drive to grow and innovate pushed others to follow his example, though he remained ahead of the competition.
When he sold the business in August 2022, it had become the dominant ski retailer in the region. These days, Rick Torrey enjoys skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, and traveling. Looking back, he takes pride in a journey defined by hard work, focus, and pursuing meaningful goals.