Chibougamau offers a variety of reasons to visit: winter activities, insights into mining history, and nature experiences at Lac Gilman and Parc régional Obalski. Depending on whether you want to focus on winter sports, historic sites, or trails and the lake, your stay can take on a different focus. Options range from a groomed snowmobile trail to a park near downtown.
Winter Activities and Festival Folifrets
The Centre plein air du Mont Chalco in Chibougamau offers night skiing, a snow park, and tubing. Night skiing is an option for later in the day; the snow park and tubing add other forms of winter recreation.
For more than 50 years, Festival Folifrets Baie-James has celebrated winter in Chibougamau. Its activities include the « Randonnée du Président », a ride on historic snowmobiles along a groomed 60-kilometre trail.
For trip planning, the two offerings are distinct: the Centre plein air offers a choice of several activities, while the « Randonnée du Président » is a specific ride held as part of the festival. Check the latest hours before visiting the centre and the current festival program for information about the ride.
Mining History Along the Walking Tour
The « Le Chemin des mines » historic walking tour in Chibougamau is about 10 kilometres long and includes seven information panels about places that have shaped the city's mining history. The panels connect the theme of mining with the places that have helped define Chibougamau.
You can get a map of the walking tour at tourist information offices and from the Société d'histoire régionale de Chibougamau. It provides guidance for the historic route if you want to include this focus in your trip planning.
Nature and Water at Lac Gilman
Parc régional Obalski is near downtown Chibougamau and is suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities. Along the loop trail around Lac Gilman, panels provide information about the local flora and fauna. Other trails in the park lead to summits with exceptional views of the city, Lac aux Dorés, and Grand Lac Chibougamau.
There are different options if you're choosing between history and nature: « Le Chemin des mines » focuses on mining history, the loop trail at Lac Gilman on local flora and fauna, and other trails in Parc régional Obalski lead to summit viewpoints.
The municipal beach at Lac Gilman has swimming areas and a volleyball court; a children's playground is nearby. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats at the beach to explore the lake. This gives you a choice between spending time at the beach and exploring the lake from the water.
Discover more destinations: Kangiqsujuaq, Matagami, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Baie-James, Chapais
Back to the regional travel overview: Nord-du-Québec.
