Kicking Horse, Columbia-Shuswap

Anyone old enough to remember Cole Porter's tuneful ditty, "I Get A Kick Out Of You," will be wise enough to make sure his or her kids and grandkids get a kick out of a resort born of adventure, discovery, and exploration.Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, 2.5 hours west of Calgary along the much-traveled Trans-Canada Highway, is in the Dogtoot range of the Purcells. Six national parks surround the resort, including Banff, Glacier, Kootenay, Yoho, Mt. Revelstoke, and Jasper.OK, the name: Sir James Hector, a geologist, was sent by Canada's government in 1958 to find a feasible route from the Prairies through the mountains so the railway could be extended. Sir James, to make the long story short, didn't have a lot of luck by the time he stumbled on Kicking Horse Pass. His horses got loose, he went after them across a river, and his own steed kicked him in the head. He was given up for dead. Eventually he came to, and discovered the pass through the mountains for the rail route. Got it? We can move on now.Kicking Horse provides 2,750 acres of ski and snowboard terrain. The top to village vertical is 4,133 feet. The Golden Eagle gondola cabins seat eight passengers and the 11,266-foot ride takes 12 minutes. The Stairway to Heaven quad has a vertical of 1,230 feet. You won't lack for accommodations in hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, chalets, and private homes. Plenty of choices. Hey, this place is a kick.ActivitiesCross Country Profile: Nearby 14 km of track-set trails, with 1.5 km of skating track. Beginner loop trails, plus intermediate and expert trails. Trailside warming hut is 1 km into the course. Use of trails is free of charge; lessons are available through Golden Guides. Winter RecreationCross country, telemark skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing available within an hour drive, and flight-sightseeing. World's largest enclosed grizzly bear refuge.