When to Go

From June through September you're likely to encounter more festivals and the greatest number of open lodgings (some close seasonally). Spring and fall months offer a more tranquil experience for travelers, and September can be particularly rewarding, with a combination of warm weather and some autumn foliage. Although winter can be cold, it's also a magical time to visit, with plenty of fluffy white snow and clear starry night skies that provide good views of the northern lights—visible from mid-August to early April. Winter is also ideal for outdoor sports like skiing, pond skating, or dogsledding.