Minecraft wiki entry for Best_biomes_for_homes, associated text: It is advised to build here only if you do not mind snow on buildings.
Do not attack wolves, as any other wolves nearby will also come and attack you; also, there is little point in killing them, as they only drop a little experience upon death.
Tame a lot of wolves, as they offer excellent protection. Zombies and skeletons drop rotten flesh (for feeding them) and bones (for taming them) respectively. Wolves also scare skeletons away.
To completely chop the tall trees, try to pillar jump or cut it in a spiral staircase.
Many light sources will melt snow and ice which can be used to keep the player's structures somewhat cleaner.
This can also be used to keep irrigation water in farms from freezing, including in village farms.
You can come to this biome to gather snowballs as weapons against blazes in the Nether.