Professional snowboarder Zeb Powell has spent the past few years redefining what the sport looks like while carrying his North Carolina roots onto some of snowboarding’s biggest stages.
Born in Charlotte and raised in Waynesville, Powell grew up far from the traditional mountain hubs that typically produce elite riders, yet carved out a path that would eventually make him one of the most recognizable figures in modern snowboarding. Powell was adopted and raised by Carl and Valerie Powell, whose working-class household in western North Carolina helped shape his grounded, experimental approach to the sport.
Early on, he struggled with instruction that forced him to ride in a stance that did not come naturally, and he initially disliked snowboarding. That frustration, however, turned into persistence. By age 15, he had already won Red Bull All Snow, a breakthrough that signaled the arrival of a rider whose style would prioritize creativity, flair, and individuality over traditional competitive orthodoxy.
His breakthrough moment on the global stage came at the 2020 Winter X Games, where he captured gold in Knuckle Huck, becoming the first Black snowboarder to win X Games gold. Powell has since used that platform to partner with organizations like Hoods to Woods, which introduces inner-city youth to snowboarding and outdoor recreation…