Winter is fine, theoretically. Here in Finland the problem is it's so long. A common misconception is the weather in the nordic countries is terrribly cold. It isn't extreme, but the cold period lasts for 4-5 months, and that's the hard part. Especially because in december-january there's light only about 4 hours a day at worst, in northern Finland not a second. There they have a two month night. Then, in the summer, it has happened several times that the northernmost part of FInland is the warmest place in Europe. Really, there, over a hundred miles above the POle Circle it's been warmer than in Spain or Italy. Then again, it doesn't last for long :o/