Chibougamau: Winter, Mining History and Nature

Chibougamau offers several distinct reasons to visit: winter activities, the city’s mining history, and attractions at Lac Gilman and Parc régional Obalski. If you’re looking for a hotel in Chibougamau, you can start by deciding which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The options below each have a different focus: winter sports and a festival, historical interpretation, swimming and rentals at the lake, or nature trails and views.

Winter Activities and Festival

The Centre plein air du Mont Chalco in Chibougamau offers evening skiing, a snow park and tubing. This gives you several different activities to choose from in winter: skiing in the evening, the snow park and tubing. For more than 50 years, the Folifrets Baie-James festival has celebrated winter in Chibougamau. One recurring festival activity is the « Randonnée du Président », a ride on historic snowmobiles along a groomed 60-kilometre route. When planning, it makes a difference whether you want to focus on evening skiing, the snow park or tubing, or take part in the festival’s named snowmobile ride. Check the current festival program before your trip if the Randonnée is a deciding factor for your visit.

Mining History Along the Walking Tour

The historical walking tour « Le Chemin des mines » explores sites that have shaped Chibougamau’s mining history. It is about 10 kilometres long and includes seven information panels. This gives it both a defined distance and specific historical topics covered by the panels. A map of the historical walking tour is available at tourist information offices and from the Société d'histoire régionale de Chibougamau. Its focus differs from the loop trail around Lac Gilman in Parc régional Obalski, whose panels provide information about flora and fauna: here, the focus is on mining history.

Beach and Rentals at Lac Gilman

The municipal beach at Lac Gilman has swimming facilities, a volleyball court and a nearby playground. Visitors who want to explore the lake can rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats there. The options at Lac Gilman therefore differ in their focus: beach and swimming facilities on the one hand, and watercraft for exploring the lake on the other.

Trails and Views in Parc régional Obalski

Parc régional Obalski is near downtown Chibougamau and offers a range of outdoor activities. Along the loop trail around Lac Gilman, panels provide information about local flora and fauna. Other trails lead to summits with exceptional views of the city, Lac aux Dorés and Grand Lac Chibougamau. When comparing nature activities, consider whether information about flora and fauna or the views matter more to you. For orientation, distinguish between two references to the city: the park is near downtown, while the summits offer views of the city.

Discover more destinations: Matagami, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Baie-James, Chapais, Kangiqsujuaq

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