Heading to Banff next Friday from Calgary on a super short 1-day trip. Anyone has tips on how to best optimize the 15 or so hours in/around Banff? I am traveling Solo, and will likely be limited to just driving with a few stops to appreciate the nature. Happy to meet with anyone living in, or planning to be in the area next week.

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I drove the other way - south from Edmonton to Calgary. Spent couple of weeks in jasper, lake Louis, Banff and in between. Heading west, the drive should be quite normal until you enter the Rockies. That part of Canada is so fucking beautiful. A day in Banff does not do any justice but make the best out of it. Take the gondola up sulfur mountain. The view is just breathtaking and the cost is worth every penny. Make sure the weather is clear if you plan to do that. You could also drive to lake minnewanka - make some sandwich and picnic by the lake. There are hiking trails everywhere. Make sure you get a bear spray if you plan to hike. A short drive will take you to various hiking trails that lead to water falls. We did Johnson canyon to the upper and lower falls. It was fairly easy and fun little hike. There's an Indian restaurant called masala something in Banff - I would go back any day for their chilli chicken and tikka masala. Banff is commercialized - to really appreciate the greatness of Canadian Rockies; head north if your schedule allows. Lake moraine, lake Louis, jasper national park - I have great memories of that area. Enjoy your trip.

Awesome, thanks!

Can't make it to Jasper this time, but I'm aiming to cover most of the ones you have there, minus the hikes.

Looking forward to some good weather next week!

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