Here's one skier/snowboarder's viewpoint based on visits within the last five years.  Criteria included: 
-    location, 
-    size, 
-    variety - up to and including "challenging",
-    organization
-    lift system
-    amenities
-    après-ski

Destination resorts:

The "A" List:
Jackson Hole
Squaw Valley
Vail
Whistler-Blackcomb

The "almost an A" List:
Beaver Creek
Deer Valley (will make an "A" when it allows snowboarding)
Heavenly Valley
Kirkwood
Mammoth
Sun Valley
Telluride - thought about giving it an "A" but it's not quite there for amenities

The "C" List:
Big White
Breckenridge
Purgatory
Taos (will make an "B" when it allows snowboarding)

Local resorts:

near Vancouver, BC:
Cypress Mountain
Grouse Mountain
Manning Park
Mount Baker
Seymour Mountain
Whistler-Blackcomb

near Denver, CO:
Keystone
Arapahoe Basin
Beaver Creek
Breckenridge
Copper Mountain
Loveland
Winter Park
Vail

near Salt Lake City, UT:
Alta
Brian Head
Brighton
Deer Valley
Park City
Powder Mountain
Snowbasin
Snowbird

Best cities to be based for ski day trips:
Denver, CO
Reno, NV
Salt Lake City, UT
Vancouver, BC