In Portland, the onset of winter often means a stark choice: wrap yourself in flannel, curl into the fetal position, and stare into a rainy abyss, or make something of these wet, dark weeks. 

A crisper, more wintry version of the season looms on the horizon. At press time, Mount Hood’s iconic Timberline had already opened a couple of ski runs. Some of the mountain’s other ski destinations—Meadows and Skibowl—predicted they’d follow around Thanksgiving. Less ballistic, but still majestic: Mt Hood Adventure’s moonlight snowshoeing on Fridays and Saturdays. 

In recent years, Portlanders decided en masse to swarm for handmade local products at lavish temporary events. Now it feels like tradition. Crafty Wonderland (Dec 8–9) is the standard-bearer, with its “super-colossal” market at the Oregon Convention Center. Last year’s Portland Bazaar made a splash by pairing the curatorial talent behind the national website Design Sponge with local craft stars. The show returns to inner Northeast’s Sandbox Studios (Dec 8–9). Handmade NW will bring about 65 artisans to the Leftbank Annex (Dec 16), with live classical music. 

Finally, of course, there’s booze. For seasonally apt refreshment, try the hot toddy with housemade apple-cinnamon bourbon at Tabor Tavern.