It's not ritzy, there's no village, no express chairs: it's a mountain for skiing, pure and simple. Do a little hiking on the Ridge and get fresh turns over and over and over again. It's close enough where you can ski the powder in the morning and be back in time for work/class in the afternoon. Much of the terrain is above tree-line and you can ride Chair 9 to 12,700 feet and hike to the summit at 13,000 to ski some of the best lines in the area.

Because most of the terrain is above tree-line it can get very cold: it's important to dress warmly and have a facemask. When the wind picks up you'll regret leaving any skin exposed. But if you're man enough to tough it out you're rewarded with massive, wide open bowls all to yourself. 

A-Basin is closest to Loveland in atmosphere and style, but it's been changing for the worse the past few seasons. Loveland has more and (in my humble opinion) a better variety of expert terrain than A-Basin. Winter Park is a bump skier's paradise but if Eagle Wind is closed (as it always seems to be when I'm there) that's all you'll be skiing. A big dump can shut Berthoud Pass for the morning too, meaning you'll be stuck on the wrong side. Keystone is Keystone, and Breck is just too far and too crowded.

But then again I'm not sure why I'm writing this. Loveland is a little, podunk, cold and windy ski area. Anywhere else is better than Loveland, keep driving!