Quickly becoming noted as a world renowned ice climbing destination, Field is able to show visitors views of the Rocky mountains that are striking and almost surreal at first glance. Set in the Kicking Horse River Valley, the peaks and glaciers, which scale imagination, can be discover on hiking expeditions or by road trips and hiking trails (varied degrees of strenuous activity required). There are many popular snow activities to be enjoyed.
The unique Spiral Tunnels of the Canadian Pacific Railway that circle around, up and through the mountains are quite the experience and an ingenious solution to building this portion of the railway through such traitorous mountain landscape.
There are a variety of landscapes to take in, such as; cliff and rock formations, glacier-carved lakes, white water rapids, and alpine meadows.
The small town Field itself provides services for visitors such as; a voluntary ambulance and Field's fire fighting services, a post office, restaurants, a general/liquor store, a pottery studio, a Greyhound bus flag stop, and lodges and guest houses.
The park protects animals from hunting so many wild animals are found in the community or casually crossing the streets.
Artists who find Field an inspiring place to live, create works in all mediums from stone, paint, film, sound, music, food and wood. Ask for more details during your stay.
Population: 200+
Highlights:
Burgess Pass - 6.6 km one way, provides views of Emerald Lake and the Wapta Icefields.
Ancient marine life at the world-famous Burgess Shale fossil beds
Emerald Lake - 11 km from Field on a paved road. A 5 km lakeshore trail circles the entire lake.
Twin Falls - 9th highest waterfall in Canada
Sherbrooke Lake
Wapta Falls
Natural Bridge - Kicking Horse River
Things To Bring:
Lake O'Hara , pre-visit reservations are required and must be made by the telephone reservation system. The phone number is (country code 001)250.343.6433. Reservations can be made March through September. Due to the increased popularity reservations should be made up to 3 months in advance, only a limited number of 24 hour spots are available.
History:
During the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1800’s, Field became a locomotive depot for pusher engines, which assisted trains over the steep slopes of “Field Hill” and “Big Hill”.
By the 1880’s, Field was a new settlement with tents and shacks set up to support the construction workers of the CPR. Then in 1884, during the persuasion process for acquiring an investor, the CPR named the town after a potential investor, Cyrus West Field an American businessman, who was also instrumental in establishing trans Atlantic telegraph services. The story goes that he never did actually invest with the CPR in the end.
The building of the railway influenced the creation of various hiking trails and the CPR wanted to encourage tourism in the area whereby, they employed Swiss Guides to assist inexperienced mountaineers from across the county to reach amazing pristine, untouched mountain peaks.
The area developed lodges, chalets, hotels, and guide house to draw in affluent travelers looking for grand adventure and suitable accommodations.
Times have changed the area little and population remains quite small.
Climate:
Summer (mid-June to mid-September). The mean temperature during this period is 12 degrees Celsius, with average high temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius and low temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius. Above 1500 meters elevation, freezing temperatures and snow are not uncommon in the summer.
Winter (December to February generally the coldest period) average temperatures range from 5 degrees Celsius to –15 degrees Celsius.
= Accommodation, 
= Free wireless HOTSPOT, 
= Artist
