Unfortunately, that's high season for the Caribbean AND for the ski areas! I don't think you can go wrong choosing Aspen or Vail in Colorado, Deer Valley in Utah, or Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, BUT, I'm not sure you can do it for your budget.

Do you know how much it costs to fly from Dallas to Denver, Reno and Salt Lake City? Then add in the cost of a car rental, hotel or condo for 3-5 nights and skiing for a few days (upwards of $100/per person per day), and meals and drinks.

I think the budget is tight but doable, however, don't expect a luxury hotel for your budget.

Would you consider a city vacation instead - without the skiing and car rental, you could definitely stay in a nice place and eat nice meals for your budget in January - San Francisco maybe?

Lots of wonderful ski areas in CA/NV and Colorado. But I agree your budget is too low for most of them. If you've never skied, you'll also have the cost of lessons and equipment rentals. Your airfares alone would probably be $600 or $700 (or more) - leaving only maybe $1200 or $1300 for everything else. For 5 nights, your accommodations could easily run $1000 or more . . . so nothing left for car/skiing/meals.

3 nights makes it more doable - but not at any of the posher resorts.

San Francisco or San Diego - they would be nice for less $$$. And you can priceline wonderful hotels in SF.

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm not really interested in San Diego I've been there at least 3 times. I don't know that San Francisco would be that different. I thinking about expanding the budget to $3500 and seeing where that would get me. Hopefully, I can find something within that price range. I've done some looking online at some B&B's, but some of them look a little questionable, however Della Terra in Colorado seems to be nice, however I don't see that there is any skiing close by.

Also I think I am willing to sacrifice length of time and go 3 for three nights, if it is a really nice place and gives me everything I want.

Since you are looking for a romantic French getaway, why not Montreal and skiing near there.
You might look for a ski package for some place like Steamboat.
If you've never skiied, are you going to try it--in 3 days?
And San francisco is VERY different from San Diego. How about Napa Valley for 3 days?

Sounds like you are set on skiing so probably not relevant - but >>I don't know that San Francisco would be that different,,

San Francisco could not be more different than San Diego. Except they are both on the Pacific . . . almost nothing else is similar.

We got a great deal on lodging and lift tickets when we stayed at Copper Mountain, Co.

Look closer to home - in New Mexico at Taos or Santa Fe or in SW Colorado - Durango would work. Fly to ABQ on Southwest and then rent a car.

There is nothing romantic about Copper Mountain, though.

Check out pkg deals offered through airlines, hotels, ski areas etc. Some can include airfare, hotel, lifts, lessons and equipment. If you go to a place close to a major airport and a free shuttle bus system like Park City, UT, it will cut out the need for a rental car. Park City is also a lower altitude than the CO areas. That time of yr is the Sundance film festival so prices will be high. Wherever you go, you will need appropriate clothes - parkas, ski pants (bibs may be cheaper & don't ski in jeans), long underwear, gloves, goggles and helmets. You may be able to rent helmets. In terms of snow, usually but not always, western areas are more reliable than eastern ones and they feel warmer because they are drier. Agree with others that you may have to compromise on type of accommodation. Good luck and best wishes.

Loved our 3 night/4 day getaway to Montage Deer Valley, took shuttles from airport so no rental car. Rooms were pricey but included breakfast package and flights were cheap for us (or we used miles, or both, can't recall). My DH even skied on the day we arrived and the morning we left. I enjoyed the spa, the fitness center, quiet places for reading and shopping/wandering Park City. But the prior poster is right, the 20th is right in the middle of Sundance, can you delay a week? You might find it quiet right after the film fest ends. We went right after New Years but before Sundance which is apparently a good week to go. The hotel is gorgeous, rooms are spacious. If it will fit your budget, I think it is a good choice.

If these folks have never skied, it's a honeymoon, and it's 3 days? doesn't sound "workable" to me. And my knowledge of Deer Valley is VERY pricey.

I found a few places in Park City where you can be taken to your place from an airport shuttle, you can be really close to the ski lifts and downtown, and have a private hot tub. Both are condos and have their own kitchen (if you want to eat in) and are under $200 a night.
http://www.parkcityreservations.com/lodging/property-p353588
http://www.parkcityreservations.com/lodging/property-p212948

I just clicked on the first link in the immediately preceding post - and the place that came up has a 5-night minimum at $649 a night for the dates of the OP's trip!

Thinking outside the horribly pricey resort box:

How about snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides?
You could get a terrific price on a small cabin (fireplace, etc.) at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park. http://www.ymcarockies.org/snow-mountain-ranch-winter-park-colorado.html
This is near the Winter Park ski area (for downhill), and a nice outing nearby would be scenic Grand Lake (also a snowmobiling mecca).
There's even a great natural hot springs in the area (20 minutes away)!http://www.hotsulphursprings.com/

Definitely avoid Park City during Sundance, which overlaps with your target dates. Lodging is hard to find and very expensive, restaurants are packed, etc. It's a great party that week, but hardly romantic.

Otherwise, i think $3500 should be a very doable budget for a 3 to 5 day ski trip. Many resorts offer beginner packages that include lift tickets, rentals and ski lessons.

Check various resort websites for early booking airfare/lodging deals too. (many websites are still geared towards summer season, so look for the "winter" link). Sounds like you would be going mid-week, which should mean lower prices and uncrowded slopes.

From Dallas, you should be able to find direct flights to several great spots. Any of the big colorado resort towns would be good - Aspen, Telluride, Steamboat, Vail, Crested Butte or Breckenridge - all should be fairly easy to get to from Dallas, have great towns, great ski schools, and lots of things to do off the slopes too.

I would also consider Jackson Hole in Wyoming. It has a reputation as being a tough mountain, but there is some good beginner terrain too. The town of Jackson is great, and it's an easy day trip to yellowstone park - which is beautiful (and not crowded) in winter.

"The town of Jackson is great, and it's an easy day trip to yellowstone park - which is beautiful (and not crowded) in winter."
From the YNP website:
Only two park roads are plowed in the winter and remain open for wheeled-vehicle use:
The road between the North Entrance at Gardiner, MT, to the Northeast Entrance at Silver Gate and Cooke City, MT
From Mammoth Hot Springs to the parking area at the Upper Terraces (approximately 1/2 mi. of road)-Note: access to the interior of the park, such as Old Faithful, is not possible. The two roads that remain open to traffic are maintained only during daylight hours and may close during severe storms.

Consider coming to central Oregon and Mt. Bachelor.
Check the Inn of the Seventh Mountain. http://www.seventhmountain.com/
This is a nice year round resort near Bend.
Mt. Bachelor is probably a better place to learn to ski than Colorado or Utah.

sylvia3, i should have been more specific about yellowstone -
it's a great place to take a snowmobile tour in winter. there are a few operators out of jackson that provide all inclusive tours.
you have to go with a guide, and you mostly stay on snow-covered roads while in the park, but it's a ton of fun and beautiful scenery. the day we went we saw moose, buffalo, amazing vista's, old faithful, hot springs, etc. i love to ski, and rarely take part in non-slope activities when on i'm on a ski vacation, but that snowmobile trip through yellowstone was definitely well worth a day off the slopes.

AND in Yellowstone/Jackson it can be -40*!!
I think a bit more of a resort with dining opportunities such as you would have at Vail, or a more picturesque Breckenridge could be more satisfying for a honeymoon. Some shopping, etc. would be nice. I know Jackson has this but I also am quite sure it would be more expensive to fly in there, even from Dallas.
There is good cross country skiing near Keystone (and probably everywhere else).

Consider Vancouver and Whistler. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler looks very romantic. Bed and Breakfast package $450 night. We also love the dining, shopping and site seeing options in Vancouver (Stanley Park, Aquarium). And it would be a little different, special.