So long as the heated gas, air, and cooking effluent rises into a good ventilation system, and hot pans do not overhang the Corian, then the temperature of the Corian at the side of the stove should not exceed the softening temperature of the Corian (about the same as Plexiglass). However, a single mistake of putting a hot pan on it may damage it too deeply to sand out. This can easily happen if one burns himself cooking and drops a pan or metal utensil onto the Corian (for example, as a result of the anti-induction brigade's famed need for flaming bell peppers :).

I recommend soapstone, which is relatively impervious to any hot objects likely to be put onto it.

kas