Halfcab Nosepress in Calgary, AB. 

Journeyman | Tanner Davidson

By Liam Glass

Printed in Issue 17.1

Tanner was one of the first people who let me point a camera at them. It was 2013, I remember lying on the ground, wedged in between a wall and the bottom of the rail with my fisheye and no escape plan. If he came off early, I would’ve been squished like a bug or had my head chopped off. He did almost kill me (my own fault) but almost doesn’t count. Since then, I’ve shot some of my favourite images with Tanner. He’s humble, easy to work with, knows the little details needed to make a spot work, has a smooth, effortless style and moves with a quiet intention. He’s on the top of my list for people I want to work with. If he tells me he has something in mind, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a grade-A shot.

Tanner is an ATV with impeccable spot selection, style and work ethic. I have nothing but good things to say about the guy, and I know for a fact I’m not the only one who thinks this way.

Journeyman.

Liam Glass: I remember seeing you around COP when I was first getting into snowboarding. How did you get into snowboarding and find your way into the Calgary scene?

Tanner Davidson: My older brother transitioned from skis to a board a few years prior, so that inspired me to try. Also, a good childhood friend of mine had already been learning, so naturally, I ended up at COP with him.

Finn and I both joked about finding you being pretty intimidating at that age. Did you get that a lot?

Dude... I got that a lot growing up. Maybe a slight case of resting bitch face, but I was also pretty shy and reserved in my youth. I think that just came across as intimidating.

You competed in slopestyle and halfpipe. Had a few 1st and 2nd places at COP and you went to the Junior World Championships in Japan. What was that time in snowboarding like for you?

It was cool. I got to travel a ton and ride a bunch of different resorts. Competing definitely teaches you good fundamentals and discipline—lots of trick repetition. I enjoyed my time and made a lot of long-lasting relationships and memories.

Nosepick to boardslide in Calgary, AB.

When did you make the transition from competing to filming?

Around 2012. I remember being with the DOPE crew on a film trip to Edmonton—they were filming for DOPE 3 at the time and invited me to join them for the rest of the trip. But I bailed to attend Halfpipe Nationals. I remember falling on both my finals runs and being so bummed with myself. I think that’s when I realized I wasn’t really enjoying competition anymore and just wanted to film.

You’ve always been very calculated in the spots you pick. What makes a good spot? What’s your process to make sure things go smoothly?

I think that’s half the fun for me—finding new spots, dreaming about tricks and how it could look, kind of obsessing over it and manifesting these things in a sense. I think putting in time beforehand, mentally and physically, is what leads to the success of a spot. I get excited when I find something unique that’s never been hit and will film well. There’s no such thing as a perfect spot, so sometimes you gotta put in the work.

How did you get into riding in the backcountry? What was the process of learning to sled and manage risks like avalanches?

I always knew I’d eventually get into the backcountry, but it was more of a financial restraint. Once I had enough money to buy a truck and sled, it was on. I put a couple of seasons in with some Calgary homies, and then started cruising with Darcy Keller, Evan Lavallee, Tyler Lightfoot, and a handful of others out in Golden. They taught me the ropes and shared a lot of knowledge with me. Just putting in the time, being observant, asking the right questions, and practising good backcountry etiquette were most important in those early stages.

Backcountry or steel? Do you have a favourite? What do you like and dislike about both?

I need both and can’t pick a favourite. Backcountry riding can be a serious operation—there’s a lot more time, money, and preparation spent before actually getting to snowboard. As for steel, I’d have to say the awkward confrontations or getting kicked out of spots is what I dislike most.

Gap to boardslide in London, ON. [o] Chris Fitzsimmons

What valuable lessons have you learned from the streets?

Patience. Streetboarding can be time-consuming and frustrating, so it’s important to step back and enjoy the process. I always like trying new things, immersing myself in the culture, checking out historic buildings, trying new food, and chatting with locals.

How about what you’ve learned from the backcountry?

Foresightedness. Journaling ahead, thinking and communicating as a group, having exit plans, and always travelling with intention. Shit happens when you least expect it, so you can never be too prepared.

How do you like to work in both of those disciplines?

I’ve started to slow down in the backcountry—actually look around and observe my surroundings. It’s easy to get tunnel vision and focus on one thing like getting a clip, and that can kill the overall experience of just being in the mountains. Enjoy the picnic!

For street, I tend to search for spots on my own. I think it helps me pick spots with purpose rather than just filming something because it’s right in front of me. It allows me to digest things and build confidence before committing.

You had a bad accident in the backcountry a while ago. What happened? Did that affect your drive to want to keep pushing yourself and filming at the time?

I landed on a massive stump that was buried just under the surface. I was with Darcy Keller, Evan Lavallee, and Tyler Lightfoot, filming for a project. It was early season, and the spot was quite low in elevation. I had to get heli-evaced and spent 10 days in the hospital. I could have died out there if it wasn’t for the crew I was with. We still have plans to go fill that fucker with Tanner!

I definitely took a step back from backcountry filming—mostly just to let myself rebuild strength and confidence. I had so much support from friends and family that I felt like I owed it to them to take a slow recovery, stay healthy, and out of harm’s way for a bit.

Watch Tanner's latest footage in "Red Seal."

You still seem to have the drive and desire to keep filming. Has your relationship with snowboarding changed over time?

It’s given me the time to unwind and enjoy myself—a break from the day-to-day grind to just have some fun. Life is busy, so it’s nice to step away and lose track of time... and I’m an addict! I don’t get the same gratification from casually boarding as I do from challenging myself and getting that adrenaline rush from a spot. It’s hard to explain that clip high, but I’m here for it.

What’s your relationship with snowboarding like now—what are you still looking to get out of it?

I think my relationship with snowboarding is healthier than ever. I don’t get as much time to board anymore, so when opportunities arise, I try to take full advantage and put in the effort. I just want to be a part of the snowboard community—something bigger than myself. All I can ask for is the opportunity to ride my snowboard.

You’ve been building your own electrical company? What made you want to take on the responsibility of starting your own business instead of working for someone else?

I wanted freedom more than anything. I wanted to be able to say yes to a trip without having to ask a boss. It wasn’t that simple—the first few years of running a business were extremely challenging, and I really didn’t have any free time. But now that I’m established and have a good support team, I’m starting to see the fruits of my labour.

Did you have any interest in electrical outside of it being a job? What did you find interesting about it?

I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, constructing and troubleshooting things. But it is physically demanding, and you’re always working in awkward body positions. Trades can provide a ton of practical knowledge, which is huge for someone like myself who’s always tinkering on engines and building things for a hobby.

Up down 5050 in Calgary, AB. 

You’re building your own place near Revelstoke. Have you been enjoying that process? What made you want to get property out there?

Fortunately, I’ve been exposed to a lot of the ins and outs of building just through being a tradesman and helping my dad with various renovations over the years. It’s proven to be extra challenging when you’re essentially playing all the roles—project manager, designer, builder, tradesman, etc. Lots of learning opportunities and obstacles to overcome, but all in all, it’s pretty enjoyable to see things coming to fruition.

Our vision is just a getaway cabin for friends and family to stay and hang out. There’s a piece for everybody—whether it’s snowboarding, skiing, fishing, dirt biking, hiking, etc. Ease of access is what drew us to the area—we can do all our hobbies right out the front door.

Something that seems to come naturally to you—but takes most people a lifetime to learn—is the intention you move with and the decisiveness of your choices. When you clip up on a spot, you’ve made sure all the pieces are in place. You pick the time wisely, make sure the conditions are right, shovel until everything is perfect, and don’t wait around for anyone else to help make it happen. You seem to know whether a spot will film well and whether or not you need to do something again, so you can do it the best you can. You rarely bite off more than you can chew, and you seem to know exactly where that line is for you.

Appreciate that! I guess time has just become that much more valuable to me. I don’t want to waste anybody’s time, so I try to have all the bases covered to streamline things.

Has riding just for fun with friends become a bigger part of things for you, or do you think you’re still more keen on filming?

I think it’s more about finding a balance between the two. I have my trips to film, and then I have my casual trips with friends and family. I think the balance is what keeps things fresh and prevents burnout. I definitely enjoy both sides of it and don’t see that changing anytime soon.