Dining

Hands down, the most spectacular and elegant dining at Kicking Horse is at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant (866-754-5425; $$$$ for dinner; $$ for lunch; left), just a gondola ride up to the 7,705-foot summit. Billed as “Canada’s Most Elevated Dining Experience,” it’s the highest restaurant in Canada, equally fabulous for lunch and dinner. Ambitious entrees run the gamut from a vegetarian roasted pepper with polenta to fish, duck, buffalo and wild caribou. Begin the meal with sumptuous starters like lox, mussels, buffalo carpaccio and foie gras.The wine selection is quite varied and features many British Columbia labels. It’s open for lunch every day, for dinner only on Friday and Saturday. The Cascadian architecture and the views are both breathtaking.

In the mountain village, Corks Restaurant (344-6201; $$$), at Copper Horse Lodge, serves contemporary mountain cuisine, such as maple-glazed wild coho salmon, in a bistro setting. A take-out menu highlights its gourmet pizzas. Our favorite is the bizzaro pizza with spicy sausage, spinach, chicken and mango chutney. Sushi Kuma ($–$$), at Glacier Lodge is tiny but the chefs create big tastes, whether you choose sushi, noodles, rice bowls or dinner boxes.

You can grab a quick bite to eat at Heaven’s Door Yurt ($) at the base of the Stairway to Heaven lift in Crystal Bowl. The cafeteria ($) at the Day Lodge serves great made-to-order omelets for breakfast, and soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers for lunch.

Off the mountain in Golden, Cedar House Cafe & Restaurant (344-4679; $$–$$$$) has an open concept kitchen and features a vegetarian menu alongside the obligatory Alberta beef, pork, salmon and lamb. The chef uses wild, sustainable fish, free-range meats and organic produce.

Kicking Horse Grill (344-2330; $$–$$$), owned by two Dutch cousins, is in an old log cabin that belies its interior of burled logs, white tablecloths, candlelight and jazz playing in the background. The laid-back staff members, called “culinary tour guides,” are knowledgeable and courteous. The delectable menu changes every three months to showcase international dishes.

Eleven22 (344-2443; $$–$$$) is a bright and cheerful bistro with several small rooms that create an intimate setting. It specializes in vegetarian Thai dishes, pastas and a variety of meats. Open nightly for dinner, Thursday through Saturday for lunch.

Dining Legend (C$): $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–$20–$30 ; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10