On that ZRankings list, as far as having a real town or village with shopping, restaurants, and things to do, I'd think the likely choices are :
Park City
Steamboat
Breckenridge
Aspen - Buttermilk and Snowmass
Aspen is my favorite place I've been - though I've only been to 11 places out west (counting Aspen's 4 mountains as 1 place). If I was a beginner, I think I'd love to learn at Buttermilk. Though staying in Aspen itself is usually expensive, and staying at Snowmass can be a lot more affordable, but you have to bus/drive into town. (The buses are nice, easy, and frequent though.)