Highlights on Snowmobile Volunteers

Meet the volunteers who make Eeyou Istchee Baie-James a snowmobile paradise

Snowmobile enthusiasts know that snowmobiling in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is an adventure in a larger-than-life territory! It's seeing the boreal forest between two towns, between two shelters. It means crossing the path of frozen lakes and fiery rivers.

Snowmobiling in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James means enjoying extraordinary snow conditions until April. It means riding on hundreds of kilometers of trails that are marked and groomed with rigor and passion.

Snowmobiling in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James also means stopping at several refuges and cabins to warm up and regain your strength. It's about sharing with snowmobile and great playgrounds enthusiasts the beauty of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James.  

It is thanks to a host of dedicated volunteers that Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is an exceptional destination for all snowmobilers.

Because they know their trails like the back of their hand, we present their favorites!

Marco Bédard, MATAGAMI SNOWMOBILE CLUB

The Matagami Snowmobile Club maintains 330 kilometers of trails. In addition to its local trails, two trails connect them to the rest of the Quebec network. For the club's president, Marco Bédard, the passage through Matagami via trail 396 is a must to discover the territory of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. Indeed, the trail crosses completely different environments. From Matagami to Amos, the trail is mainly under power lines, offering snowmobilers a wide and open trail. From Matagami to Lebel-sur-Quévillon, the snowmobilers are mostly in the forest, offering enchanting panoramas.

There are two refuges on the trail to Amos, at kilometers 64 and 130, and one on the trail to Lebel-sur-Quévillon, at kilometer 64. Nothing better to warm up and refuel before setting off on your adventure!

Marco travels to the four corners of Quebec every winter to practice his sport. Despite all the breathtaking places in our province, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James continues to stand out. According to Marco, it is the nature and the abundant wildlife that make our region incomparable. Especially when our path crosses that of the animals, like a lynx!

Martin Blanchet, CHAPAIS SNOWMOBILE CLUB

For Martin Blanchet, president of the Chapais Snowmobile Club, there are many reasons to go snowmobiling in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James: the length of the season, the constant and exceptional snow cover, the quality of the trails, the varied landscapes...

A seasoned snowmobiler, Martin particularly likes the Chapais-Lebel-sur-Quévillon route on the TQ93 trail, which mixes boreal forest and tundra landscapes. The trail has straight and open sections as well as more picturesque wooded areas. This allows you to slow down, take in the views, and escape like never before.

Normally, Martin takes great pleasure in driving to Oujé-Bougoumou, a Cree community next to Chapais. In Ouje-Bougoumou, the Capissisit Lodge awaits snowmobilers with a hot meal and a cozy room. The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute is a not-to-be-missed detour into the heart of the history of the Cree people and the territory they travelled through on snowmobiles.

The main attraction for snowmobilers in Chapais is the relay, located at kilometer 331 on Route 113. A true meeting place for snowmobilers, the relay is renowned for its warm welcome, friendly atmosphere and comforting meals. It's the perfect place to come and warm up and chat with other snowmobile enthusiasts.

Normand Labrie, LEBEL-SUR-QUÉVILLON SNOWMOBILE CLUB

In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, a portion of the local trails and the 93 trails run along the magnificent Lac Quévillon. Between the lake and the forest, snowmobilers can enjoy a charming scenery and very well-maintained trails.

But for Normand Labrie, president of the Lebel-sur-Quévillon snowmobile club, the most beautiful section of trail 93 is between his town and Chapais. A portion of the snowmobile trail is located on an old railroad track. The trail is particularly wide, linear, and flat.

To take a break, snowmobilers can stop at one of the two heated rest stops, located respectively at kilometer 86 of Route 113 and kilometer 45 of Route 1000. A heated chalet is also open at km 135 of Route 113.

René Martel, CHIBOUGAMAU SNOWMOBILE CLUB

Snowmobiling in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James means taking full advantage of extraordinary conditions for several months! Very early in the season, as soon as the first snow falls, the Club's volunteers are hard at work preparing the trails. The result? Here, enthusiasts can ride over 330 kilometers of trails earlier than anywhere else in Quebec.

For René Martel, Communications and Web Director and Safety Officer of the Chibougamau Snowmobile Club, those who work tirelessly are a big part of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James' success in the snowmobile field.

And because the trails are maintained by true enthusiasts, the trails in the Chibougamau sector are also recognized for their high quality.

"A team of dedicated volunteers combined with ideal weather conditions make our region a snowmobiler's paradise."

With so many miles of trails, it's no wonder that both short-distance riders and long-distance adventurers find something to do in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. There are trails for every preference!

Click here to find out about trail conditions and to get inspired!

IMPORTANT —It is strongly recommended that you check whether the tourist attractions and businesses you wish to visit are accessible by contacting them directly.

INTERRUPTION OF GAS SERVICE FOR SNOWMOBIERS AT THE 54 SAWMILL BETWEEN LA DORÉ AND CHIBOUGAMAU

We wish to inform you that there will be no gas service at the 54 sawmill for snowmobilers between La Doré and Chibougamau. This gas station is located on trail #93.