Zeb Powell: Snowboarding’s Creative Outlier
In a sport that often prizes precision and repetition, Zeb Powell is a welcome disruption. Known widely as “the most creative rider in snowboarding”, Powell has carved out a space that feels both familiar and entirely new. His style blends raw talent with a kind of spontaneous artistry. Watching him ride is less about counting rotations and more about experiencing how far one person can stretch the definition of snowboarding.
From the East Coast to the X Games
Born in 1999 in North Carolina, Powell’s journey to snowboarding’s biggest stages wasn’t obvious. Unlike many pros who grew up chasing endless powder, Zeb cut his teeth on the icy slopes of the American East Coast. Those tough conditions gave his riding its edge, an ability to adapt, improvise and create something out of almost nothing.
His breakout came in 2020 when he won X Games Gold in the Knuckle Huck event, a competition designed for invention rather than perfection. It was a perfect stage for Powell, who delivered a performance that felt more like performance art than contest riding. Since then he has added more podiums and highlights to his career, along with signature gear collaborations with Burton.
A Style All His Own
What sets Powell apart isn’t just what he does, but how he does it. His riding is expressive, almost musical. From buttering rails with impossible fluidity to sending backflips onto features most riders wouldn’t even look at twice, Powell transforms ordinary park lines into something extraordinary.
And then there are the stunts that only he seems capable of. Like confidently ripping runs on a three metre snowboard. Where most riders would be flailing, Powell makes it look effortless, turning the absurd into the sublime.
Beyond the Tricks
Powell’s influence goes beyond technical skill. In a sport that can sometimes feel dominated by formula, he represents play, creativity and individuality. His presence is also significant culturally. As one of the few Black athletes at the top of the sport, he is expanding snowboarding’s reach, making the culture more inclusive and inspiring the next generation.
More than anything, Powell has reminded snowboarding of its roots. The sport has always thrived on rebellion and creativity, and Powell embodies that spirit in its purest form. He is not just competing, he is reshaping what snowboarding looks like.
Why Zeb Matters
Zeb Powell is more than a rider. He is a reminder that snowboarding is supposed to be fun, unpredictable and a little bit wild. He doesn’t just perform tricks, he tells stories on snow. And in doing so, he has earned his place as one of the most important figures in the sport today.
