Interview: David Webb Of Explore Magazine
Explore Magazine was launched in 1981 which means they have been sharing what the Canadian outdoors has to offer, issue after issue for 45 years!
We’ve been a long time fan of the magazine and the stories within and have been sharing each issue on our newsstands section since we first launched 15 years ago. Speaking of… be sure to head to your local newsstand and pick up the anniversary issue, which is out now (until September 15th, 2026).
We chatted with President & Publisher David Webb about the anniversary and what it means to him.
Traversing: How long have you been at Explore?
David Webb: About 14 years. I jumped onboard in late 2012 and my first issue as editor was Spring 2013. I became President/Publisher in March of 2022. I actually passed the official magazine editor torch to Alison Hodgins this year, who's been with us for 8 years, though I’m still involved deeply as the publisher. But I have to focus on all aspects of the brand these days—from our podcast, to our new digital platform, social media and more—and the print magazine’s in good hands with Alison and me working together.
Traversing: What on earth made you think to take this on?
David Webb: Magazine publishing and media is all I’ve ever done, professionally. I started in 2003 with some hunting and fishing magazines, launched an adventure publication (somewhat ironically it was meant to compete with Explore) in 2005, which only lasted a year… delved more into travel writing in the 20-teens with Explore. I love writing, I love magazines and I love the outdoors. This was the best way to do it all!
Traversing: What has been your favourite article?
David Webb: Conor Michell did a two-part series on the disappearance of Daniel Trask. The first part was published right before I took over, and part two a few years later under my tenure as editor. That one always stands out to me.
Traversing: You’ve certainly put a lot of love into this magazine over the years, and traveled coast to coast to help promote and write for it. Has it brought you anywhere unexpected? Any locations that you wouldn’t have thought to travel to?
David Webb: Yeah, I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel extensively in Canada, and many places internationally, because of this job. I’ve been to every province and territory, most a few times, and all the way to 74 degrees North. But a backcountry ski/snowshoe trip in Nunavik certainly stands out. I think before I went there I wasn’t even sure of the difference between “Nunavik” and “Nunavut.” And I left with as deep as an understanding as a week would allow me—having travelled the land with Inuit guides and spent time with an elder. It was a vast and beautiful land, I set foot places more exclusive than the summit of Everest. I’d love for more people to experience it, but it’s very expensive to travel there and logistics can be challenging. In fact, I’d say the majority of my most impactful outdoor experience in Canada have happened in the Arctic or sub-Arctic regions.
Traversing: Explore has won its fair share of awards over the years, is this proof that "print isn’t dead”?
David Webb: Print is absolutely not dead! We picked up (yet another) honourable mention for Best Magazine: Service & Lifestyle in this year’s National Magazine Awards. Would have liked to grab a gold, but it’s always good to have something to strive for.
That being said, the world of media continues to change and print must change with it. Print magazines will continue to become more of a luxury good—with publishers investing in thicker publications, better quality paper and other elements that make magazines worth keeping on your shelf long term. Digital is where most of the growth is—but print is still the bedrock of our brand. Explore MAGAZINE is here to stay.
Traversing: Do you think the Canadian outdoors has changed in the past 45 years?
David Webb: So much. The way we experience it, with changing and adapting gear and technologies. The increase in volume on our trails and waterways. Social media fueling the quest for that Instagram pic and career as an outdoor content creator… some of this stuff was unimaginable even 15 years ago. There is now a “cool factor” to being outdoorsy that came out of social media and into the mainstream.
The outdoor industry is around a $100B industry in Canada alone today. That’s huge. And of course, the impacts on our environment from all this use and at-times overuse is hard to ignore. Plus, add in climate change—I’m a skier, I have seen drastic change in my lifetime—and you see things like increased wildfires affecting how and when we get outside, shifting seasonalities… the list goes on. It’s probably easier to think of what hasn’t changed: that sense of peace from walk-in through a forest. The feeling you get from a night sky full of stars.That kind of stuff.
Traversing: Where will the Canadian outdoors be in another 45 years?
David Webb: Hopefully still here! Canada is the best outdoors playground in the world. And we’re the envy of everyone—I can absolutely attest to that in my travels, pretty much everyone who hikes or paddles anywhere in the world regards Canada as the Holy Grail. What’s the saying… “with great power comes great responsibility.” We have so much land to steward. We have to look at how our gear impacts the environment (microplastics, forever chemicals). We have to balance overuse with access and accessibility. I’d hate to gate-keep the outdoors from anyone, in fact doing so is one of my biggest “outdoorsy pet peeves.” But we also can’t continue to stomp down our trails and overcrowd our campsites.
So the biggest changes to come will likely be: the gear and apparel industry continuing to strive toward lower-impact materials/chemicals. Changes in seasons to spread out impacts and adapt to climate change: camping more in spring and fall, outside of busy times and wildfire seasons. Downhill ski seasons shifting to spring and late spring as storm seasons change. Probably more permit systems coming in to manage peak-season hiking crowds. Indigenous-led land stewardship. More families looking to camping trips as affordable vacations as the cost of living goes up. People looking to Crown land to escape crowded parks. Increased communications in the backcountry, with worldwide satellite communication coverage becoming the norm. And Explore Magazine will be there to cover it all.
