#4 Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is like the perfect woman: glamorous yet full of gritty substance; nurturing one minute and surprisingly feisty when provoked. Sure, she serves fresh-baked cookies every afternoon, but she also doles out challenge aplenty. That’s news to many, as the scores for Challenge attest. And that’s just fine with those who know that when “Vail gets the crowds, the Beav gets the locals.”

For example, the Stone Creek Chutes and the Royal Elk Glades have tough tree lines that remain virtually undiscovered. Less hidden but still under-explored, are the 23,000 vertical feet of black and double-black pitches descend from the top of the Grouse Mountain Express. But the resort’s bread and butter are all the things that make life easy, including Grooming (No. 2), Service (No. 2), On-Mountain Food (No. 5) and Lodging (No. 4). The Osprey, Westin, Park Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton set the lodging standards high. And the prices: “Bring your platinum card.” But the Beav is a gracious host, attending to guests’ needs and indulging their wants: “The near-ultimate experience from arrival to departure” says one reader. Among BC’s greatest conveniences is the Eagle Airport, 15 minutes away.

Though the Dining (No. 7) is top-notch, the village doesn’t rock late. “Nonexistent nightlife,” is a complaint, so après hounds will want to look elsewhere. Conveniently, Vail and the mining town of Minturn are close.

Easing the family ski vacation has always been Beaver Creek’s M.O., and in the last few years, it’s perfected the art. (“Best mountain for families with kids or older parents or grandparents.”)

Beaver Creek climbed two spots this year, and we don’t think it’s done. The top three resorts shouldn’t get too comfortable.