Set against the Selkirk Mountains outside Nelson, BC, Backcountry Table brings campers, overlanders, chefs and outdoor enthusiasts together for a weekend of cooking, storytelling and community — September 11–13, 2026.

Backcountry Table Debuts This September, Bringing Together Outdoor Cooking, Adventure and Community in Nelson

Campfires, mountain views and unforgettable meals will come together this September as Backcountry Table launches its inaugural three-day festival at Whitewater Mountain Resort, September 11–13, 2026.

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Created for campers, hikers, overlanders, cyclists and food lovers alike, Backcountry Table is a weekend dedicated to celebrating the art of cooking outdoors. Guests will camp on-site, prepare their own meals, learn from experienced outdoor cooks, chefs and storytellers, and connect with fellow adventurers around shared tables and campfires.

“Backcountry Table is about creating meaningful experiences outdoors,” says co-founder Brent Firkser of GOSO Cookware, the festival’s Founding Partner. “Food has an incredible way of bringing people together, and we wanted to build an event that celebrates the simple joy of cooking, learning and sharing a meal outside.”

 

The inaugural speaker lineup features a diverse group of outdoor experts and culinary creators, including:

  • Jayme Moye, Nelson-based author and award-winning adventure journalist, who will lead storytelling sessions exploring how outdoor experiences become stories worth sharing.
  • Chef Dara Gellman, Chef Dara will be travelling from Ontario, with a goal to inspire attendees with creative camp cooking techniques and practical ways to elevate everyday campsite meals.
  • Chef Adam Olpinski, from Kimberley, BC, will present a tip-to-tail fish workshop, demonstrating how to maximize every part of the catch while sharing his techniques for creating perfectly smoked fish.
  • Denis Leblanc of No. 6 Coffee Co. will guide guests through the fascinating process of transforming green coffee beans into freshly roasted coffee over a campfire.
  • Simon Barna, Brewmaster at Nelson Brewing Company, will lead a brewer’s talk exploring the art and science of craft beer, sharing stories from the brewhouse, insights into the brewing process, and tips for pairing beer with camp-cooked meals.
 

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Beyond the workshops, guests can expect live demonstrations, hands-on learning, community meals, fireside conversations and countless opportunities to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts throughout the weekend.

Backcountry Table is made possible through the support of an incredible group of partners. GOSO Cookware joins the festival as Founding Partner, while Whitewater Mountain Resort, Nelson Brewing Company, Chuk Outdoors and No. 6 Coffee Co. serve as Founding Community Partners. National outdoor brands Dometic and VSSL round out the festival’s partner lineup, helping bring the inaugural event to life.

Festival-goers will also have the chance to take home premium outdoor gear through the weekend’s Storytelling Competition and Camp Cooking Competition, with an impressive prize pool provided by GOSO Cookware, Dometic, Nelson Brewing Co. and VSSL. Organizers promise plenty of additional surprises throughout the weekend, rewarding creativity, community spirit and a love of cooking outdoors.

Set against the backdrop of the Selkirk Mountains just outside Nelson, Backcountry Table celebrates everything that makes the Kootenays special: spectacular landscapes, vibrant local food culture and a welcoming outdoor community. More than a festival, it’s a celebration of slowing down, cooking outside, and sharing memorable experiences with old friends and new.Tickets are officially on sale now and include access to the full three-day festival, workshops, demonstrations and community programming. Camping options are available on-site at Whitewater Mountain Resort and are reserved through Backcountry Table.

 

Backcountry Table Event Details

September 11–13, 2026

Whitewater Mountain Resort

For tickets and the full weekend schedule, visit www.backcountrytable.com.

 

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