The following article was originally printed in the December 2024 Issue of Slush. To access the full article click here.
Zeb Powell might just be Instagram’s first true viral snowboarder. If not him, then Marcus Kleveland—but there’s something fitting about their first knuckle huck face-off playing such a big role in Zeb’s rise.
It feels like every clip of him that surfaces on your feed leaves you chuckling in disbelief. Sometimes it’s a trick so outrageous it seemed fake, other times a combo so absurd you didn’t think anyone could do it. It wasn’t long before anyone who knew anything about snowboarding knew something about Zeb Powell. Fans weren’t just excited to see him ride; they couldn’t wait to see what he’d do next. And while going viral once or twice is one thing, Zeb made it a habit.
By the time Zeb claimed gold at the X Games Knuckle Huck in 2020, he had officially transcended snowboarding’s niche. That single contest didn’t just earn him a medal—it solidified him as a global name. But with fame came a new reality.
I’m of the opinion that Zeb is the biggest snowboard celebrity since Shaun White. Having traveled the world alongside him, I can tell you firsthand: you don’t just “go somewhere” with Zeb Powell. You budget extra time. Everywhere he goes, swarms of fans clamor for selfies, autographs, and a moment with the snowboarder who redefined what it means to be cool on snow.
For anyone, that kind of attention would be exhausting. The constant pressure to perform, to dazzle, to meet expectations—it has to take a toll. And while Zeb has never publicly hinted at burnout, you can’t help but wonder if the endless spotlight is part of what drew him into the backcountry this past winter.
Getting into backcountry snowboarding is easier said than done. Even for someone like Zeb Powell—who’s made the impossible on a snowboard look casual—the nuances of navigating powder, its subsequent airtime, and finally, and perhaps most challenging, its landings present a steep learning curve—pun intended. It also shouldn’t go unmentioned the logistical challenge of strapping a 205 cm board onto a snowmobile. Thankfully, with the guidance of seasoned pros like Danny Davis, Brock Crouch, Aaron Blatt, and Justin Eeles, Zeb managed to capture some remarkable shots in a realm where he’s just beginning to carve
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