Replying to summer in whistler

I've been considering flying out to whistler this summer and hitting the public terrain for a couple weeks. I did the camp thing last year and had a good time, I'd like to do it again but don't have the money. Its a lot cheaper than a camp but seems like more of a hassle. The public terrain isn't anything that great except for the pipe and the lift lines are huge. I guess you could poach the camp on their rest days or something? for those of you that have done it did you think it was worth it? How can you get back and forth from vancouver to whistler and betweeen where you are staying and the village? busses available? I think we would try to stay at the shoestring lodge, anybody been there? we've been thinking it would cost maybe $500 for loding and skiing not including food or the flight which is another 500. does that sound about right or is it more complicated than that? I'm sure it would be a good time but wondering if its really worth the money.