FAQs
What is Backcountry Table?
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Backcountry Table is a three-day outdoor cooking and camping festival held at Whitewater Ski Resort near Nelson, BC. It's a weekend of camp cooking, hands-on workshops, outdoor skills, storytelling, local food, craft beer, and community. Whether you're an experienced overlander, a weekend camper, or simply love cooking outdoors, you'll find inspiration, new friends, and unforgettable meals. This is a bring your own food and kitchen set up event (we will not have food vendors onsite). While some samples will be available, the goal is to inspire and share skills.
Who is Backcountry Table for?
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Anyone who loves food, the outdoors, and gathering around a shared table. Campers, hikers, vanlifers, overlanders, cyclists, families, backyard cooks, chefs, and curious beginners are all welcome. No professional cooking experience is required.
Not at all. Whether it's your first night sleeping in a tent or you've been living in a van for years, you'll fit right in. The event is designed to be welcoming, supportive, and beginner-friendly.
Do I need to be an experienced camper?
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Below you will find some answers to some of your questions… we compiled almost 30 questions for ya, but if we don’t have your question answered please feel to message us directly by emailing us ( hello@backcountrable.com)
Where is the event held?
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Backcountry Table takes place at Whitewater Ski Resort, just 20 minutes from Nelson, British Columbia. Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, the venue provides a spectacular setting for a weekend of cooking, camping, and community.
The inaugural Backcountry Table takes place September 11–13, 2026. Future event dates will be announced on our website and newsletter.
When is Backcountry Table?
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What does my ticket include?
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Each ticket includes admission for one person, one campsite, and full access to all workshops, demonstrations, skill-sharing sessions, community events, and a few tasty snacks throughout the weekend.
Your campsite can accommodate:
One camper van or RV
One vehicle with a trailer
Up to two vehicles and one tent
All campsites are rustic with no hookups or services (unless you have paid to be a part of the RV serviced tickets). Additional guest, see next FAQ :)
Can I bring a guest?
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Yes. Additional guests can be added for $50 per person and must be registered in advance. Children under 12 attend free.
Can I bring my family?
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Absolutely. Families are welcome, and children under 12 attend free. While many workshops are geared toward adults, there are plenty of opportunities for families to cook, explore, and enjoy the weekend together.
Can I bring my dog?
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Well-behaved dogs are welcome, provided they are kept on leash and owners clean up after them. Please be respectful of other guests, wildlife, and Whitewater's policies. Still have questions? Shoot us an email: hello@backcountrytable.com
Backcountry Table is designed as a full weekend experience, and tickets currently provide access to the entire event. We encourage guests to settle in, meet new friends, and enjoy everything the weekend has to offer. We are not currently offering single day access. Maybe in 2027.
Can I stay for only one day?
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Is food provided?
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Backcountry Table is a bring-your-own-food experience. You'll prepare your own meals while learning new techniques, sharing ideas, and cooking alongside fellow attendees.
Several community meals and tastings are included throughout the weekend, including our signature pizza party where we provide the dough, sauce, and cheese & you bring your favourite toppings. However, please be prepared to sustain yourself over the weekend.
Do I need to bring my own cooking equipment?
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Yes. Please bring the cooking gear, stove, utensils, fuel, cookware, and supplies you'll need for your meals. Part of the fun is seeing how everyone cooks outdoors using different setups.
Please come prepared with food that meets your dietary needs. While we strive to make shared meals inclusive whenever possible, we cannot guarantee allergen-free preparation.
What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions?
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Please bring enough drinking water for your stay, along with extra for cooking and cleanup. A detailed packing list will be provided before the event. While there is potable water at The Hummingbird Lodge we do ask you come prepared.
Is drinking water available?
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What kinds of workshops are included?
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Your ticket includes access to cooking demonstrations, outdoor culinary workshops, coffee sessions, skill-sharing, storytelling, gear demonstrations, and collaborative community experiences. Every attendee is welcome to participate. With each ticket you are also entered into a draw for a community prize (drawn on Sunday morning).
Do I need to sign up for workshops?
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Most workshops are included with your ticket. If any sessions have limited capacity, we'll provide registration details before the event.
Absolutely. Backcountry Table is built around community. If you have a recipe, technique, or outdoor skill you'd love to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Can attendees share their own skills?
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Are campsites serviced?
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No & yes. Campsites (offgrid x nature) are rustic and unserviced. The RV Serviced sites offer 30-amp electrical service. It really depends which campsite you’ve booked.
Can I bring an RV?
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Yes! RVs, camper vans, truck campers, trailers, rooftop tents, and traditional tents are all welcome. Th only site you cannot book is the NATURE site.
Is there cell service or Wi-Fi?
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There is NO CELL service at the eventsite. There is some access to wifi closer to the Hummingbird Lodge but we are offgrid. 100%. Please be prepared. We encourage guests to unplug, slow down, and enjoy the weekend.
How close is the nearest grocery store?
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The nearest grocery stores are approximately 20 minutes away in Nelson. We strongly recommend arriving fully stocked with food, water, and supplies.
Whitewater has a shower for use and public washrooms. We ask that if you are tenting / offgrid with no onboard toilet that you make use of the public washrooms located in the Hummingbird Building.
Are there showers / toilets?
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Backcountry Table will always follow provincial fire regulations. If campfires aren't permitted, we'll adapt activities accordingly and focus on propane, charcoal (where permitted), and other safe outdoor cooking methods. Great outdoor meals don't require an open fire. We will be emailing all ticket holders as well as reminding guests upon check-in.
What happens if there's a fire ban?
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What should I pack?
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A detailed packing list will be emailed approximately one week before the event. Plan to bring your camping setup, cooking gear, food, drinking water, weather-appropriate clothing, and anything else you'll need for a comfortable weekend outdoors.
What is your refund policy?
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Launch and Early Bird tickets are 50% refundable until August 1 and 25% refundable until August 29.
Regular tickets are 50% refundable until August 24 and 25% refundable until August 29.
Tickets become non-refundable after August 30, as commitments to our venue, instructors, and event partners have already been made. Thank you for supporting our event.
Can I transfer my ticket?
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Yes. Ticket transfers may be possible if arranged before the event. Please email hello@backcountrytable.com and we'll help facilitate the transfer.
Backcountry Table is about bringing people together…not just filling campsites. Pricing per person allows us to welcome solo travellers, vanlifers, couples, and larger groups fairly, while ensuring every guest has access to the full weekend of workshops, experiences, and community programming.
Why are tickets priced per person instead of per campsite?
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What makes Backcountry Table different from other camping festivals?
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Backcountry Table isn't about watching celebrity chefs from the sidelines. It's about cooking alongside each other, sharing recipes, swapping stories, learning new skills, and building community around the simple joy of preparing great food outdoors, sharing stories, and connecting in nature. Everyone is both a guest and a contributor, and that's what makes the weekend so special.
What if it rains?
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We are rain or shine! Pack your rain gear y’all. We have tents and strategies if it rains, but we’re all campers - we’ll get through it.
Do I need 4 × 4 to get to camp?
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The mountain road can be bumpy aftre teh pavement stops but not to fear, Whitewater hikers, campers, and visitors make it up just fine with a two wheel drive. Just take your time.