On the other hand, they are probably worth sneaking away to for a day on a buisiness trip.
Conditions are often soft and slushy.
What Easterners call hard pack, Southern Californians generally refer to as ice. But do not be lulled into complacency by a warm Santa Ana wind, they are often cold and bitter once you have made your way to the ski areas. Driving is much more treacherous in storms since you always have to traverse the snow line to get to or from the resorts. Chains are often required in storms. There are other places in the Southern Sierras, but since they all are a five hour drive and Mammoth is so big and the rest are so small everybody in SoCal goes here.