Why Explore Magazine is Committed to Continuing in Print
Text. Scroll. Type. Repeat.
In an era where everything from news to novels can be found on a screen, a print magazine might feel like a relic from another time. An older commodity. Yet there’s something enduring about ink on paper—something Explore Magazine has held onto for over four decades.
But what makes a magazine a magazine in the first place?
More Than Paper and Staples
A magazine isn’t just a collection of articles or pretty photos—it’s a curated publication that blends storytelling, design, photography and editorial voice into a cohesive reading experience. Unlike flyers, brochures or newspapers, magazines offer depth and are not simply a collection of advertisements—in fact, there’s a strict ratio of advertisements-to-editorial content that’s allowed before a magazine becomes a flyer. A flyer is a folded single-page piece, often used for rapid promotion or information. Magazines are guided by editorial themes, regular contributors, recurring columns, in a recurring schedule and with a recognizable visual personality. A flyer might inform you about something. A magazine invites you to immerse into it. There are five that make up a magazine:
- It’s thematic. Built around a central theme, a magazine intentionally perpetuates its message through its articles, photos and general content.
- It’s periodic. Magazines come out bi-annually, quarterly or even monthly. They are meant to become a part of your rhythm. Think long-term relationship.
- It’s designed with depth. Magazines tell their story through their design.
- It’s visually rich. Typography, photography, layout. These elements are not just there to be aesthetic, they are there to guide you, too.
- It’s meant to last. Digital content is fleeting and editable. Magazines are meant to be kept, stacked, shared, re-read and passed along.
- It’s filled with content from various personalities. Writers, photographers, regular columnists, who are all paid as freelancers, contribute to the making of a single issue.
Turning the Page on History
The concept of the magazine dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. German theologian and poet Johann Rist published the first true magazine between 1663 and 1668 called Edifying Monthly Discussions. Many were inspired to carry this legacy forward, and magazines of all kinds bloomed, encouraging education, literacy and political truth. Publications like The Gentleman’s Magazine (London, 1731) began compiling essays, stories and commentary for a broad audience. By the 20th century, magazines became essential cultural artifacts—covering everything from politics to pop culture to mountaineering.
We visited the Vancouver Public Library to dig deeper into our own legacy—tracing the arc from early literary journals to glossy adventuring blogs. The rise of digital has changed the game, but what we found confirmed what we already suspected: print still holds power. Especially when it comes to storytelling you can slow down with and take offline.
The Birth of Explore
In 1980, Peter Thompson was at a crossroads: pursue academia abroad or take a leap into something entirely different. He chose the latter—and in doing so, founded Explore Magazine. He writes, in the 35-year anniversary issue, “It was heart-over-mind, and a decision I don’t regret.” With nothing but passion, energy, and a $10,000 loan, he set out to create a publication that celebrated the outdoors—hiking, climbing, skiing, mountaineering—activities that reflected his own love for adventure.
“After a business seminar where participants were encouraged to think big, we had an epiphany. Why restrict the magazine to Alberta? Why not a national outdoors magazine? There were national hunting and fishing publications, but no national outdoor adventure and travel magazine,” he writes. “And so Explore was born.”
Explore has been following this dream, chronicling the Canadian spirit of adventure, from the Rockies to the Maritimes, winning over 200 media awards since 1981. Its contributors include some of Canada’s most respected outdoor voices, like Kevin Callan and Will Gadd, offering gear guides, destination features, backcountry advice and more.
Today, under the leadership of president and publisher David Webb, Explore continues to thrive in print—against the grain of an industry gone fully digital. Since joining the industry in 2003, he’s seen first-hand the evolution of the magazine.
“It’s not that instantaneous gratification,” says Webb, “it’s a bit more purposeful and thoughtful, and I think that it provides people with a break. A quietness. A low-anxiety, a low-stress, a low-distraction way to kind of lose yourself a little bit.”
Webb is optimistic about the future of Explore Magazine: “our print magazine isn’t going anywhere. It’s actually growing right now.” He wants people to know that “it is an accessible magazine… there’s something there for everybody.”
At Explore, we’re not afraid to take the slower route. After all, the best adventures rarely happen in a hurry.
Subscribe to Explore Magazine now and experience adventure from a whole new perspective.
