Greg McCandless's Ski Gear & Expert Recommendations

Ski and MTB YouTuber, former racer and freestyle competitor, race dad

Blowing Rock, NC

If you're able to listen to music while skiing, then you aren't going fast enough!

I am a Ski and MTB YouTuber (my channel is Descent At Best) as well as a former ski racer and freestyle competitor. These days, I am still heavily into ski racing as a fan, beer league competitor, and father of two boys on the local race team. I really enjoy getting to share knowledge of gear with skiers, who are “my people.” I've helped thousands of people get the best gear for them, and I'm thrilled to help serve as your gear guide through Rendezvu! I enjoy—so much!—having the opportunity to share knowledge about gear that I have accumulated over the years with customers. In contrast to my day job, which can involve interactions that span the entire spectrum from awful to neutral to good to great, Curated allows me to work in a space where we are always moving from good to great. For instance, a customer aimlessly clicking around who purchases a sub-optimal setup will have a good experience skiing (or at least being outdoors) regardless; but, if I do my job well, they will have the perfect gear that allows for them to level up to a great or even extraordinary one. It is easy to get on board with a good-to-great gig!

Discipline: Ski

Specialty: Alpine Racing

Former alpine racer, invited to the US Ski Team Development Team back in the 90s Former freestyle competitor (Big Air, moguls) 3 Years as a Ski Expert at Curated

Expert Gear Picks from Greg McCandless

Expert ski gear recommendations from Greg McCandless, Ski and MTB YouTuber, former racer and freestyle competitor, race dad, based in Blowing Rock, NC.

Greg McCandless's Men’s Midrange Shell Ski Jackets

Greg McCandless recommends the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Shell - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Mountain Hardwear Firefall Jacket - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Outdoor Research Carbide Jacket - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Rab Kangri GTX Jacket - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Outdoor Research Outdoor Research Men's Cloudchaser 3L Jacket Blue XL

Greg McCandless's Ski - Women's - Softgoods - Top Quality

Jackets, pants, hats, gloves, and baselayers for women who seek the absolute best gear

Greg McCandless recommends the Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Women's Incendia Jacket Purple S
Greg McCandless recommends the Obermeyer Obermeyer Women's Steibis Shell Jacket Black L
Greg McCandless recommends the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX PRO Jacket - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the Mammut Stoney HS Hooded Jacket - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the Rab Khroma Kinetic Jacket - Women's

Greg McCandless's Ski - Women's - All Mountain - Best Bang for the Buck

These skis, boots, poles, helmets, and goggles pack the most quality and performance per dollar

Greg McCandless recommends the Atomic Maven 84 R Ski + M 10 GW - 2026 - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the Fischer Ranger Ski - 2026 - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the Head Skis USA Absolut Joy Ski + Joy 9 GW Binding - 2026 - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the Blizzard Sheeva 9 Ski - 2026 - Women's
Greg McCandless recommends the K2 Mindbender 85 Ski - 2024 - Women's

Greg McCandless's Ski - Men's - All Mountain - Best Bang for the Buck

These hardgoods are great for intermediate through expert men who ski mostly frontside but go off piste and dabble in the park and on side hits from time to time. They are, in my opinion, the best performers per dollar spent!

Greg McCandless recommends the Kastle Fx96 Hp Skis 2022
Greg McCandless recommends the Blizzard Blizzard Men's Anomaly 102 Skis Purple 182 Cm
Greg McCandless recommends the Rossignol Sender 104 TI Ski - 2024
Greg McCandless recommends the Elan Wingman 83 TI Ski - 2026
Greg McCandless recommends the Rossignol Sender Soul 92 Ski - 2026

Greg McCandless's Ski - Men's - Expert - Freeride + Freestyle

Skis, boots, poles, helmets, and goggles for those who dig tight moguls, big airs, off-piste terrain, and use groomers just to get back to the lift:)

Greg McCandless recommends the Black Crows Anima Ski - 2026
Greg McCandless recommends the Black Crows Atris Ski - 2026
Greg McCandless recommends the Blizzard Rustler 10 Ski - 2026
Greg McCandless recommends the Black Crows Camox Ski - 2026
Greg McCandless recommends the Icelantic Nomad 100 Ski - 2026

Greg McCandless's Ski - Men's - Softgoods (jackets, pants, gloves, hats) - Best Bang for the Buck

These are all products I would gladly wear myself that are either on sale, prior year models, or simply offer a great value with a low-to-mid-tier price tag!

Greg McCandless recommends the Mountain Hardwear Firefall Trifecta Jacket - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Gordini Front Line GTX Glove - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Flylow Ridge Glove
Greg McCandless recommends the DAKINE Titan GORE-TEX Glove - Men's
Greg McCandless recommends the Helly Hansen Sogn Cargo Pant - Men's

Greg McCandless's Ski - Men's - Expert - Frontside All-Mountain

Calling all speed demons! These skis are great, versatile skis for former racers like myself who like to venture off piste from time to time but spend most of their time carving at speed.