Events Backcountry Outfitters frequently sponsors, organizes or supports local outdoor industry activities, seminars, and symposiums.

Please check back as we are working on future events to bring to you!

Past Successful Events...

Traverse City Sidewalk Sale  Traverse City closes off Front street for this once a year event. We combine some of the best deals from all three of our stores to offer you the best prices and biggest selection possible! Many people like to come down and make a day of it, as the Sidewalk Sale runs all day, and Friday Night Live begins later in the evening with vendors, live entertainment and many other events for the whole family.

Smartwool Sock Sale  Our Buy any three pairs of Smartwool Socks and get a fourth pair free! This is a great time to stock up for graduation gifts, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays... or buy a few for yourself. Sale runs at all three locations, but only for these three days. Hurry in, because the favorite styles usually go first!

An example of gear you might find at the sale. Used Equipment Sale Our second annual Used Equipment Sale is one of the best opportunities in Northern Michigan to pick-up quality used gear at a great price... Here's how it works: •We gather up our odds-and-ends, discontinued items and special deals to offer them to you at unbelieveably low prices. • Our employees bring in all the pristine equipment they've updated or replaced (they do that often) to sell. • Not enough? You can bring in your used equipment to sell. Keep the money (less a 20% commission) or get 100% credit toward the purchase of new gear at Backcountry. • The icing on the cake - some of our sales reps will bring in their sample packs, tents, boots and clothes to sell at rock bottom prices. This is the time to get a deal on gently used gear or sell some of the equipment you'd like to upgrade. We will only accept gear from 11:00 a.m. to noon on the day of the sale. All unsold gear and loot must be claimed by 6:00 p.m. the day of the sale.

Kayak Symposium  Our Kayak Symposium is designed for people who are thinking about buying a kayak and for those who have a season or two on the water. Spend the day on Grand Traverse Bay learning about boat design, practicing paddle techniques and discovering how to recover after a capsize. The Symposium provides the information needed to select the right kayak for your needs and will help develop safe paddling habits on the water. Representatives from Current Designs, Hurricane, Liquid Logic, Native Kayaks and Wilderness Systems will offer instruction, answer questions and have kayaks available for demo paddling. Backcountry Staff will provide instruction and be available to answer questions about gear and paddling destinations. The Symposium begins at 10:00 a.m. You can participate in up-to four of the seven classes offered and demo boats at the end of the day. All participants receive a re-usable mesh paddling bag with Northwater "Safety, Comfort and Organization" DVD, paddling SWAG and a coupon for 15% off any in-stock kayak purchased the weekend of the demo. Lunch will be provided (Pizza, Fruit and beverages). Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Cost for the Symposium is $25 per person. Please call 231-941-1100 to register or stop by one of our Traverse City locations to pick up a registration form.