I decided to explore out of my usualy traveled places today and I ended up to the north west of Skingrad. There is some really fun stuff out in rural area's and alot of money to be made. I found a camp with two NPC's from Morrowind that had 2k a peice of them and nice equipment at a camp a bit north of Skingrad. Also while searching around the woods earlier in the day I found a small village in which every person was LOADED! I also enjoy going out into the woods to commit crimes and watch the occasional Imperial Forrest Leagionares fight eachother. I have to say that I think that I like the rural places in Tameriel more than the cities!
I agree with the mountains when it's snowing. My pref is north of Cheydinhal.
But really I pref sunny warm weather, so I really like the countryside around Skingrad, esp with all the ponds and waterfalls etc that you come across.