What's Your City's Access to Skiing and (Sub)Tropical Ocean Beaches

I'm partial to North Carolina's cities...and, as you all know, especially Charlotte. Since moving here, I am surprised and impressed that I am able to drive from the center of Charlotte to mountain skiing (the highest mountains east of the Rockies...7000') in 2 hours or to sub-tropical beaches in about 2.5 hours. The only other place where I've lived and been able to do this is California. Here's the question...from which major US cities (metros + 1 million) can one travel 3 hours or less and be in mountains over 6000', or, travel 3 hours or less and be on tropical beaches?>