Zeb Powell’s snowboarding journey wouldn’t have been possible without his parents’ support.
Highlights
- Zeb Powell made history as the first Black snowboarder to win gold at the X Games, breaking barriers in a predominantly white sport and using his platform to increase diversity in snowboarding.
- Zeb’s unique, improvisational riding style sets him apart in the snowboarding world, with sports commentator Selema Masekela describing him as “a jazz musician on a snowboard.”
- Growing up in a diverse adoptive family with parents who emphasized humility and giving back has shaped both Zeb’s character and his mission to make snowboarding more accessible to underrepresented communities.
Zeb Powell, born on January 18, 2000, in Charlotte, North Carolina, has emerged as one of the most dynamic forces in professional snowboarding.
His unorthodox style and fearless approach to the sport catapulted him to international fame when he claimed gold at the 2020 Winter X Games Knuckle Huck competition.
This historic win made him the first Black snowboarder to win gold in X Games history, instantly cementing his legacy in the sport.
Powell’s riding style defies convention, blending improvisation with raw athleticism in a way that sports commentator Selema Masekela describes as being “a jazz musician on a snowboard.”
His signature moves, including his famous coffin slide that transitions into a backflip with an inverted method, showcase his creativity and willingness to attempt tricks others wouldn’t even consider.
Despite his current success, Powell’s journey to snowboarding stardom didn’t follow a typical path.
Unlike many professional snowboarders who grow up in mountainous regions with abundant snowfall, Powell honed his skills at Cataloochee Ski Area in North Carolina, just 30 minutes from his hometown of Waynesville.
Interestingly, he didn’t immediately take to snowboarding—his first experience with the sport was negative because an instructor set him up regularly instead of his natural “goofy” stance.
The Future of Snowboarding 25 from NC
— Prolific Old Guy 🏁 (@Ancient_Royalty) January 29, 2025
Zeb Powell pic.twitter.com/eoltCvWHqJ
Powell’s talent eventually caught the attention of professional snowboarder Chad Otterstrom during summer camps at Woodward Copper.
This connection led him to Stratton Mountain School in Vermont, where he trained under Olympic gold medalist Ross Powers.
His natural explosiveness—Powers notes he’s one of only two individuals to touch the ceiling of the SMS building off the super trampoline—and improvisational style made him stand out from his peers.
Zeb Powell, the first Black snowboarder to win an X Games event, made history with his victory in the 2020 Knuckle Huck competition. Known for his creativity and style, he continues to inspire a new generation of riders.
— Woodz 🇺🇸 (@Nibiru1000) February 5, 2025
Happy Black History Month! ✊🏿🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CgfdDAacDX
Since his X Games breakthrough, Powell has partnered with organizations like Hoods to Woods, using his platform to promote diversity in snowboarding and create opportunities for people of color in winter sports.
With sponsorships from major brands, including Red Bull, ThirtyTwo, Etnies, and Burton, Powell continues to push boundaries in street riding and freestyle snowboarding, inspiring a new generation of riders along the way.
Carl and Valerie Powell’s Parenting Shaped Zeb Powell’s Path to Snowboarding Stardom
Zeb Powell’s remarkable snowboarding journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his adoptive parents, Carl and Valerie Powell.
The couple, who live in Waynesville, North Carolina, adopted Zeb when he was just five weeks old, welcoming him into their diverse family.
Carl and Valerie Powell created a unique family environment that shaped Zeb’s worldview from an early age.
They had one biological daughter, Jessie, and adopted four other children, including Zeb.
The Powell household represents a true melting pot of backgrounds—Tyler is Korean, Scout is Black, Native American, and Korean, and Dylan is biracial (Black and white).
Growing up in this diverse family unit, Zeb developed a perspective that didn’t correlate friendships or activities with skin color, which helped him navigate a sport that has historically lacked diversity.
Carl Powell runs a chip mill in North Carolina, while Valerie works as an assistant teacher.
Neither of them were avid snowboarders or skiers, though Valerie originally hailed from Colorado, where her family skied, and Carl had some skiing experience in his younger years.
Despite not participating in board sports themselves, they recognized their son’s passion and provided unwavering support. Talking about his parents, he said,
“They don’t ski or snowboard, but they’re insanely supportive of what I’m doing.”
redbull
This support took many forms throughout his development. When young Zeb showed interest in skateboarding, Carl learned how to build a skateboard so he could teach his son.
When Zeb’s talent in snowboarding became evident, his parents made significant sacrifices, eventually allowing him to attend the prestigious Stratton Mountain School in Vermont—a decision that was particularly difficult for Valerie, who was initially reluctant to send her son so far from home.
The values instilled by Carl and Valerie have profoundly influenced Zeb’s approach to his career and success.
Carl repeatedly emphasized the importance of humility as Zeb’s star began to rise.
“Always be humble. Stay humble,” he would tell his son after every achievement. This guidance has kept Zeb grounded despite his meteoric rise to fame.
Perhaps most significantly, Carl impressed Zeb with the importance of using his platform for the greater good. Zeb shared,
“That’s always been my dad’s dream. He’s always said, ‘If you get famous, I don’t care about the money. I want to see you give back to the less fortunate communities.’ That’s ingrained in my head.”
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This paternal wisdom has directly influenced Zeb’s commitment to increasing diversity in snowboarding through various initiatives and partnerships.
Valerie shares this perspective, stating that what matters most is that her son recognizes his gift and uses it responsibly. She said,
“You got to use it right and stay humble and give back, and so far, that’s what he’s done. Which makes me extremely proud. Prouder than any medal he could ever win,”
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The Powells’ parenting approach fostered not only Zeb’s athletic talents but also his character and values. They encouraged his individuality while providing a stable foundation of support.
When Zeb graduated from Stratton Mountain School in 2019, he celebrated in his own unique style—after receiving his diploma, he performed a backflip off the stage in his jacket and tie, perfectly encapsulating the blend of joy and fearlessness his parents had nurtured.
Today, as Zeb works to transform the landscape of snowboarding, the influence of Carl and Valerie Powell remains evident in both his riding style and his mission to make the sport more accessible.
Their decision to adopt a young boy from Charlotte and support his unconventional path has not only changed Zeb’s life but is now changing the face of snowboarding itself.
Carl and Valerie may not have envisioned raising a snowboarding revolutionary when they welcomed Zeb into their family, but their commitment to nurturing his passions and values has helped create not just a champion athlete but an ambassador for change in a sport that desperately needed one.
Additional Information
- Zeb won his first snowboarding competition, Red Bull All Snow, at just 15 years old, demonstrating his early talent in the sport even before attending Stratton Mountain School.
- During street snowboarding in Burlington, Vermont, Zeb conquered the challenging “Big Green” handrail, landing multiple complex tricks, including a front-board pretzel and front lip four out.
- Zeb discovered his signature “coffin slide” trick by chance after observing someone accidentally sliding out on the knuckle of a jump at Carinthia Parks at Mount Snow – a move that would later become part of his gold medal-winning X Games routine.
