Rio de las Animas or ‘River of Souls’ was originally coined by Spanish explorer, Juan Maria Antonio de Rivera in 1765. He stood on a bank south of Durango, Colorado, gazing upon the cold current of the Animas River. His journals do not say to whose souls he is referring, but the lifeblood of present-day Durango is still a River that undoubtedly has a history. The name Rio de las Animas Perdidas (River of Lost Souls) would not be used for another century or so. Lost Souls Poles derives its name from this origin. Much like lost souls, floating down the Animas River, our ski poles were lost and floating to their end times. Reborn in Durango, CO, we give new life to these lost souls and get them back on the slopes.

The historical information above is sourced from River of Lost Souls by Jonathan P. Thompson. This is an excellent resource for the historical background of Southwest Colorado.

Our poles are sourced from ski resorts all across Colorado. Those that have kept poles out of the landfill are…

• Vail

• Breckenridge

• Keystone

• Aspen

• Purgatory

• Telluride

If you are involved with other resorts and would like a new home for all of your unclaimed ski poles, please do not hesitate to reach out!

We are not currently in-stock in any stores yet, but you’ll be able to find us in a handful of gear/ski shops in Durango, CO this winter.