Occupying the far western end of the state, the Berkshires are only about three hours by car from Boston or New York City, yet the region lives up to the storybook picture of rural New England: wooded hills, narrow winding roads, and compact historic villages. Skiing is popular in winter, and sugar-maple sap runs in the spring. Summer brings cultural events, like the renowned Tanglewood classical music festival in Lenox. And fall foliage blazes along the scenic Mohawk Trail, running east to west across the northern Berkshires.