I was referring to Mammoth and have made it in well under 6 hours. The drive to Mammoth is very easy and through the desert 90% of the way. Contrast that to driving to Killington, VT from Philly in harsh Winter conditions that can make the drive over 10 miserable hours through NY/NJ bumber to bumper traffic for skiing not even in the same universe. Then when you get there its 10 below with the wind chill for the pleasure of skiing on sheer ice. No thanks.

Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta dont even have driving options for skiing worth the time it would take to get there.

BTW, have you ever been to Mt Baldy? I can get there door to door in about 2 hours and when there is snow there it is outstanding for such a cheap and easy place to get to.