The activities your family can enjoy in Vermont vary with the seasons. This means, of course, that you'll have to plan more than one vacation in the Green Mountain State. These suggested travel plans will help you sample the state's highlights in winter, summer, and luminous fall.

A Five-Day Winter Sports Sampler Keeping Near Route 100

Having a hard time choosing just one mountain resort for your winter escape? Vermont's Route 100 is “ski alley” in the snow season, and a multiday trip along this corridor can be filled with cold weather pleasures.

Day One: Start at Stratton Mountain Resort (Stratton Mountain Road, Stratton Mountain, 802-297-4000 or 800-STRATTON, www.stratton.com) where four high-speed, six-passenger lifts mean you'll get in more runs before the day is done. Stratton prides itself on its professional ski instructors who can help beginners master the sport and guide experienced skiers and snowboarders seeking to become experts.

Day Two: Drive north to the Viking Nordic Center (615 Little Pond Road, Londonderry, 802-824-3933, www.vikingnordic.com). You may want to con sider spending the night at the Viking Guest House, as that entitles you to free access to the center's 35 kilometers of cross-country trails.

Day Three: Your day of rest. Continue north along Route 100 at a leisurely pace, exploring the many shops in Weston, particularly the Vermont Country Store (802-824-3184, www.vermontcountrystore.com). Later in the afternoon, visit the Green Mountain Sugarhouse (820 Route 100 North, Ludlow, 800-643-9338, www.gmsh.com) for a taste of Vermont-made maple syrup and other goodies. Get to your inn, B&B, or condo near Killington early and rest up for another big day on the slopes!

Day Four: Conquer Killington (4763 Killington Road, Killington, 802-422-6200, www.killington.com), where good snow is guaranteed. That's right — if you're unhappy with the conditions after at least one run within your first hour of arrival, you can exchange your lift ticket for a voucher to return on another day.

Day Five: Venture off Route 100 just a bit and arrive early at the Woodstock Inn & Resort (Fourteen the Green, Woodstock, 802-457 1100 or 800-448-7900, www.woodstockinn.com). Spend the afternoon nestled inside the inn's old — New England ambience, or venture out on snowshoes at the inn's Ski Touring Center. Before you check out, be sure to visit the off-site Fitness Center for a swim in the indoor pool, a soak in the whirlpool, or a relaxing spa treatment.

A Three-Day Summer Getaway

Have time for just a brief summer retreat? Head to the shores of Lake Champlain, and use Burlington as your central hub of exploration.

Day One: Get to know Vermont's largest city including the shops and restaurants concentrated in the Church Street Marketplace (www.churchstmarketplace.com). If the weather is hot, head to North Beach (Institute Road, www.enjoyburlington.com/NorthBeach.cfm) for a swim in Champlain. Dine in the evening at one of the area's many waterfront restaurants.

Day Two: Drive north and stop briefly at Snow Farm Vineyard (190 West Shore Road, South Hero, 802-372-9463), where you can sample a variety of reds and whites produced by the state's oldest winery. Continue north to North Hero Island to visit the Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions (Knights Point State Park, 44 Knight Point Road, North Hero, 802-372-8400) and see a horse show on select summer dates. Return to Burlington later in the afternoon, and get a different view of Lake Champlain from aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen II (802-862-8300, www.soea.com), which departs from the Burlington Boathouse on College Street.

Day Three: It's time for the ultimate summer activity — eating ice cream. Drive southwest to Waterbury for a tour of Ben & Jerry's (Route 100, 866-BJ-TOURS, www.benjerry.com), which concludes sweetly with the opportunity to sample several of the company's one-of-a-kind flavors. If you haven't ruined your appetite, have lunch at one of the three New England Culinary Institute restaurants (877 223-6324, www.necidining.com) in nearby Montpelier before heading for home.

A Week of Autumn Hues and Views

Fall is a glorious time to visit Vermont, but keep in mind that it's also the season when lodging rates are highest and reservations are nearly impossible to come by unless you've planned well in advance.

Day One: Start your fall foliage journey in Bennington, where you can ascend to the top of the Bennington Battle Monument (Monument Avenue, 802-447-0550, www.historicvermont.org/bennington) for views of three states. Bennington also boasts five covered bridges within close proximity, so spend time discovering these charming landmarks.

Day Two: Follow Route 7A toward Manchester and visit Hildene (802-362-1788 or 800-578-1788, www.hildene.org), the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln. Stroll through lush formal gardens and take in spectacular views of the autumn-painted Green Mountains. Spend the afternoon shopping for bargains at the Manchester outlets, which are concentrated in the area of Routes 7A and 11/30 in Manchester Center.

Day Three: Pack a picnic, pay the toll, and make the drive along the 5-mile Mount Equinox Skyline Drive (802-362-1114,www.equinoxmountain.com/skylinedrive). When you're ready to tear yourselves away from the amazing views, leave southern Vermont behind and drive along scenic Route 7. Rutland is a good stopping place for the night.

Day Four: Wake up early and venture off Route 7, following Route 4 East to Killington (4763 Killington Road, Killington, 802-422-6200,www.killington.com), which boasts the highest Vermont peak serviced by a chair lift. The K-1 Gondola ride provides views of five states and Canada. Return to Route 7 and continue north, stopping whenever the colors warrant reaching for the camera. Spend the night in Middlebury.

Day Five: Continue north on Route 7 to Shelburne. You'll want to photograph the covered bridge at the Shelburne Museum (Route 7, 802-985-3346, www.shelburnemuseum.org), against the backdrop of autumn leaves. In the afternoon, tour the Vermont Teddy Bear factory (Route 7, Shelburne, 802-985-3001 or 800-829-BEAR, www.vtbear.com), and make your own bear dressed for Halloween.

Day Six: Again, continue north on Route 7 to Burlington. At the King Street Dock, choose between the scenic lake cruises offered by Northern Lights Lake Champlain Cruises (802-864-9669, www.lakechamplaincruises.com) or a Lake Champlain Ferries (802-864 9804, www.ferries.com) trip across the lake to view the colors in New York State.

Day Seven: Make sure your camera battery is charged for your final day of scenic Vermont driving. From Burlington, follow Route 15 East through quaint towns along the way to Jeffersonville, where you'll pick up Route 108 South, which will take you through the mountainous Smugglers' Notch area and eventually to Stowe, home to Vermont's tallest mountain peak. Spend the rest of your day exploring Stowe, or continue south on Route 100 for a visit to the Ben & Jerry's Factory (Route 100, Waterbury, 866-BJ-TOURS, www.benjerry.com) before heading for home.