Planning a Trip

I'm from Ontario, a die hard skier who has taken a couple trips with my family but I'm looking to make a trip to the rockies this winter by myself or a friend or two when I get a break from school. Any tips on how to do a trip like this for the cheap? I have friends in Canmore and Big white, who I could potentially stay with, but things like finding a flight/eating/getting around are gonna be expensive and tough to manage. Any input? I'm down to go anywhere in BC or Alberta.