author Drew Zieff in a hat and sunglasses in the snow
17 articles

Drew Zieff

Contributing Writer

Title: Contributing Writer
Email: drewzwords@gmail.com
Location: Tahoe City, CA

Expertise

  • Topics of Expertise: Snowboarding, Splitboarding, Van Life, Camping, Backpacking, Outdoor Gear
  • Years in This Expertise: 20 years
  • Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 750+ products, 5,000+ hours

Education & Certifications

  • Education: Bachelors of Arts, Colorado College
  • Years of Writing: 10
  • Certifications: Avalanche 2, WFA
  • Awards or Recognitions: Backcountry Magazine’s Rider in Chief, 3x Furriest Man on the Skin Track
  • Previous Publications: Outside, Backcountry, REI, Whitelines Snowboarding, Snowboarder’s Journal, Popular Mechanics, Gear Patrol

A Word From Drew Zieff

After years of bouncing from mountain town to mountain town, I’ve been putting roots down in Tahoe, which brings my journey full circle: I originally learned to snowboard in the Sierra.

I got into writing through a fondness for hip hop. I love to travel, particularly if chasing surf or snow is involved. My partner and I used to live full-time in our custom-built Chevy Express—now I call it our “beach house,” and I’ll take it to the coast whenever there’s swell (and I have a spare minute).

Much of my year revolves around winter: chasing snow and stories, testing snowboards, splits, and other gear, then writing about it once the snow melts. In addition to covering snowboarding and splitboarding, I focus on vanlife, camping, outdoor gear, apparel, and more. From a more casual perspective, I also enjoy surfing, mountain biking, and fly fishing.

I’m a gear head and I’ve always loved working for GearJunkie. In particular, I dig the stories that combine travel aspects with outdoor gear.


Snowboard boots testing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Eric Phillips)

a snowboarder standing on a snowy mountain ridge, wearing Oakley Line Miner Pro goggles and a helmet, with a alpine backdrop under a clear blue sky

photo of two athletes sharing a fist bump

Field Report From Swedish Lapland: The Best Splitboarding I’d Never Heard Of

The author, sampling a classic Hokkaido powder cloud, in the Niseko United sidecountry

snowboarder wearing the oyuki / smith collab

First Impressions Vasque Repositions - With The Newly Released ReConnect Here

The Gear Travis Rice and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott Rode to Natural Selection Victory

Testing the Quiksilver 4/3 Highline Plus in Mexico

patagonia mackinnon_al yulex

Skier in Bella Coola, British Columbia

United Shapes Limited Release: See the Boutique Board-Builder’s Horizon and Cadet Snowboards

Trips in Baja California Sur

San Juan Magic: A Skier and Snowboarder’s Guide to Telluride

An Homage to Old-School Snowboard Movies: Q&A With Snowboarder Ben Ferguson on His Flick ‘Fleeting Time’

Schynige Platte Trails Oberberghorn

natural selection course preview

Glacier Camping Gear Round-Up

Natural Selection Finals Day

why you need puffy pants

Petzl Fly Harness on a male skier in yellow shell pants

Travis Rice snowboarding

Rider wearing Burton's Mine 77 kit and mittens carrying snowboard uphill

Never Summer Swift

Japan powder skiing

Surfing Wetsuit Guide: Tips, Care, and Top Picks

Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket snowboarder