Are you making your 2011 travel plans and trying to figure out where to go in February? Whether you’re looking for romantic travel deals to surprise that special someone with a trip for Valentine’s Day or you just want a winter getaway to escape from your daily routine, you’ve got lots of destinations to choose from. One you might not have considered, but could be ideal, is Vancouver in British Columbia.

Okay, first things first – yes, Vancouver in February is cold. It’s still winter up there, and Canada does winter really well. But if you’re into skiing or snowboarding, you’ll already know that Vancouver is a world class destination for both sports (as evidenced by its hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics), so it’s a great candidate for a ski trip before the spring.

The Canadian dollar is stronger than it was several years ago, and Vancouver isn’t known as a cheap city to visit in general, so it’s important for budget-conscious travelers to be careful about the big-ticket items when planning a trip. For instance, since airfare is the biggest travel expense, if you’re having trouble finding a bargain on a flight to Vancouver then you might look at flying into Seattle as an alternative. If you’re flying from the U.S., it can often be easier to find cheap airline tickets to a U.S. city than to fly directly to a city in Canada. There’s regular train and bus service from Seattle into Vancouver, or it’s a drive of a few hours.

Generally, the next-biggest travel expense after your flight is accommodation – and while independent travel aficionados love finding offbeat lodging, sometimes the best budget option is something that’s fairly cookie-cutter. Sure, there are hostels in the city that can be a great choice, but if you want a little more privacy without blowing your whole bank account there’s a good list of Vancouver budget hotels that may lack charm but are perfectly adequate for most people.

So, who’s ready for a ski trip to Vancouver next month?