It all also depends on what kind of skiers you guys are. Are you the super hardcore shredding type, or also like to do apres-ski partying? Whistler has way more options for that - Big White or any of the interior resorts do not really have night-life per se.
Whistler has way more terrain/acres than Big White, so variety is unbeatable. Both can get bad visibility days (Big Whiteouts is the nickname for Big White) but Whistler has excellent tree-skiing areas which are still fun even in foggy situations. Learning is also good (but expensive) in Whistler - incredible instructors. Lifts are much faster in Whistler, but big line-ups can occur.
It is more expensive in Whistler, but it kind of evens out if you figure out the driving time to Big White and the cost of gas. I drove there and the Coquihalla does tire you out quite a bit because of the conditions you will face. How many cars are going? Are you comfortable driving up in winter conditions, including facing possible snowstorms? If not, stick to Whistler - the Sea to Sky is really easy nowadays, and it is a major route. The road TO Big White was the major sketchy driving portion of the route, I nearly did some Initial D during some of the hairpins it was that slippery. 45 minutes of hairpins in winter conditions is not for the faint of heart.
You missed the turkey sale, huge deals on gear.
I keep an eye out on Steep and Cheap for jackets and pants and helmets and other stuff. Just bought a Bern Brentwood helmet in matte red (gotta love color-coordinating, just need red pants to match!) for $30, and if it doesn't fit I'll just return it. The baseball looking helmets are going to be fine as long as you get one from a major brand, and it has the proper foam liner. Bern, Smith, Giro, POC, RED - these are major helmet brands. I've probably missed quite a few. POC is damn expensive but considered to be the best. I like Smith and Giro, giving Bern a shot. I have a RED helmet, pretty functional IMO.
The Clymb has great deals on stuff as well, they have a sale on RED helmets right now - $35 for the RED Trace which is what I have right now.
Use my link!
The Clymb | The Gear You Need. Up to 70% Below Retail.™