Kevin from Snowboard Pro Camp: Riding the Himalayas — and Testing the Future of Bindings

In a quiet studio in New York City, Kevin Pearce — founder of Snowboard Pro Camp — sits down to reflect on one of the most unexpected snowboard adventures of his life: riding the high peaks of Kashmir, India. Between sharing stories of endless powder and vibrant mountain culture, he also opens up about testing the new CLEW Independence 1.0 bindings, which turned out to be an ideal companion for a trip halfway around the world.

I didn’t even know you could snowboard there.”

Kevin laughs as he remembers how the whole journey began. “Back in 2019, a viewer commented on one of my videos, ‘Hey, you should come ride Gulmarg in India.’ I honestly thought it was a joke. India? Snowboarding? I pictured deserts and heat, not a resort sitting at over 13,000 feet in the Himalayas.”
The plan took years to materialize. Travel restrictions delayed everything, but in 2023, with the help of local riders, Kevin finally made it happen. Flights from Canada to Delhi, then to Srinagar, followed by a late-night jeep ride through narrow mountain roads — the trip wasn’t for the faint of heart. “There was this heavy military presence on the way in,” Kevin recalls. “Checkpoints, soldiers everywhere. It was a reminder that this region has its complexities.” But as soon as he reached the village of Gulmarg, the mood shifted completely.

It was peaceful. Snow falling, evergreens covered in white, friendly people offering tea the second we arrived. It didn’t feel like anywhere I’d been snowboarding before.”

A GONDOLA TO ANOTHER WORLD

Day one began on Gulmarg’s famous gondola — the highest in Asia. It climbs far above the treeline, dropping riders into vast alpine bowls with deep, untouched snow. “The terrain is insane,” Kevin says. “Huge lines, barely any crowds. Some of my best turns ever were there. On the last day, I got to ride from the summit all the way to a village at the base. It felt like a full-on expedition, and it was easily a 10 out of 10.”

The trip wasn’t just about big descents. Kevin spent time riding with Kashmiri locals, many of whom snowboard with limited access to quality gear. “These guys just love riding. They're making it happen with whatever equipment they have. It really put things into perspective for me — I realized how much I take good gear for granted.”

THE RIGHT BINDINGS FOR THE RIGHT TRIP

This was also Kevin’s first chance to put the new CLEW Independence 1.0 bindings through their paces — and they delivered.

Something I didn’t expect was just how effortless they are to step in and out of. The last CLEW model was already great, but this one? It’s literally click-click, smooth and done. When you’re jet-lagged at 13,000 feet, the last thing you want is to fight with your bindings in knee-deep powder.”

 

He explains that some riders worry about step-in systems changing board feel, but he’s adamant:

There’s no drawback. These are high-performance bindings. The response is lively, energy transfer is instant, and they feel incredibly light. Even just walking around with your board in hand, you notice that weight difference.”

There are small but meaningful refinements too: angled footpads for better comfort, polished new screws that look futuristic but secure the bindings like nothing else, and a sleek color scheme — Kevin especially loves the white model with its silver handle.

It’s got this high-tech, almost space-age look to it. And the best part? It’s not just cosmetic. Everything about these bindings feels like next-generation hardware.”

Kevin even had a friend try them on the trip. “He has arch discomfort in his foot, and he immediately said the slight inward canting of the baseplates made his ride more comfortable. Watching him click in first try, no learning curve, and ride off — it was eye-opening. These bindings aren’t just about convenience. They’re about performance and comfort working together.”

CHALLENGES, LESSONS, AND WHAT'S NEXT

Of course, no trip is perfect. The long travel days, food safety concerns, and rugged infrastructure took some adjusting. “Next time I’d be a bit more careful about what I eat, maybe spend more on a comfortable lodge, and definitely bring a splitboard to explore beyond the resort. And I’d pack extra gear to leave with the local riders — they deserve it.”
Visiting CLEW’s factory before the trip also left an impression.

This team isn’t messing around. They’re obsessed with quality, from the engineering to the final polish. You see that dedication in the bindings. It’s a small team, but I think they’re the hardest-working people in snowboarding, and it shows.”

As for the overall experience, Kevin sums it up simply: “Snowboarding in Kashmir felt like discovering a secret world. The culture, the people, the terrain — it’s all so different from anywhere else I’ve ridden. And having gear that just works, like the CLEW Independence 1.0, means you can focus 100% on the moment. That’s what makes trips like this unforgettable.”

WOULD HE GO BACK?

Absolutely. Tomorrow if I could.”