Drew Zieff is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and gear fanatic. You can find him cruising in his custom-built 2006 Chevy Express van, directing splitboard tests and snowboard tests for various publications, and chasing surf, snow, and stories at home and abroad. He enjoys the general outdoors, surfing, mountain biking, and fly fishing.
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
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.
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