You're plan sounds a bit far fetched but ok. Whistler isn't always the most realistic place to live if you want a proper career and sustainable living, yes there are jobs, but if you have specific career in mind and want affordable living look elsewhere else.And the pow is good in a sense that its deep, but its not rocky mountain light.
Lots of people in this thread are saying Kelowna, but personally I don't like it there that much, there is warm summer but the landscape itself isn't that nice IMO.
Vancouver has access to it all, hiking, skiing, biking and beaches. But its a big city, and VERY expensive.
Nelson and Vernon are two cities I'm considering settling down in eventually. I don't think there is much money to be made in Nelson, but Vernon has lots of old people which is good for me since I'm think of going in the Physio Therapy.
Look at Creston, Kimberly, Golden all have good skiing with more sustainable living than whistler.