Rick Torrey

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Rick Torrey

Rick Torrey of Killington is committed to building a career rooted in purpose, discipline, and a deep connection to the outdoors. As the CEO and owner of Basin Sports, Out Of Bounds Snowboard Shop, and True Wheels Bike Shop, he transformed personal enthusiasm for skiing and biking into successful, community-focused businesses. Previously known as Richard Torrey, he spent decades steadily shaping his professional path without seeking recognition, allowing results to speak for themselves.

Rick was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved with his family to Ludlow at a young age. From early on, he embraced the value of work—cutting grass, painting, babysitting, and managing two paper routes. These efforts were a means of earning income and instilled saving habits and self-reliance. Raised in a financially limited household, he gained a clear understanding of how to stretch every dollar and never took opportunity for granted.

After finishing high school, he entered the workforce while continuing his education. He joined the computer processing program at Springfield Tech and took night classes while working full-time. Between 1973 and 1975, he also trained in Experimental Engineering at Pratt and Whitney in Hartford. Amid this demanding schedule, he still found time to coach youth hockey, helping a local team achieve regional success before stepping away due to other commitments.

In 1975, Rick purchased his first home in Windsor, Connecticut, which marked a major personal milestone. That same year, he began working as a programmer at Travelers Insurance. His technical ability earned him a promotion to a support role, where he introduced a new system access method that outpaced what many larger firms had achieved. Despite this success, his attention gradually turned toward entrepreneurship, seeking a path that allowed for more independence and creativity.

By 1987, Rick had helped finance a friend’s purchase of a ski shop. When the business failed in 1991, he acquired it from the bank and took over. Though retail was unfamiliar territory, he immersed himself in learning the trade and refining operations. Through research, persistence, and practical thinking, he turned the struggling business into a high-performing, award-winning store that served the area for over 30 years. In 1996, Richard Torrey launched a snowboard shop and later added a bike shop, which mirrored the original store's success. His daughter joined the business the same year, and in 2010, his wife became the full-time CFO after years of part-time involvement. The company continued expanding, eventually completing six major building projects under his guidance, each supporting the business’s long-term goals.

Rick approached every growth stage with a clear direction, choosing progress over shortcuts. His ability to anticipate market needs allowed his businesses to maintain a competitive edge, even as others attempted to follow his lead. What began as a small 1,000-square-foot shop evolved into a 24,500-square-foot landmark in the local outdoor retail industry. When he sold the business in August 2022, it had become the region’s leading ski shop. He acknowledged his employees' dedication, but his vision, consistency, and quiet leadership formed the company’s foundation. The business wasn’t built overnight—it was the product of steady, focused effort over decades.

Today, Rick Torrey enjoys a well-earned retirement, spending his winters on the slopes and his summers on the trails. The values that defined his journey continue to guide his life, and his legacy remains one of commitment, humility, and lasting impact.

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