Burke Mountain. Yes, it’s OK to come to LSC because it’s close to a great winter resort. Now poised for major expansion, the mountain offers 2,000-vertical feet of classic New England skiing and riding just 10 minutes from campus. There’s lots going on here off-season, too: hiking, camping, biking, dances, special events, and the paved toll-road to the summit. www.skiburke.com 

Lake Willoughby. One of Vermont’s best-kept secrets, many consider this Vermont’s most beautiful lake. The Willoughby area is known for hiking, climbing, biking, sailing, even SCUBA diving.  

Enjoy a view sandwich. Any way you slice it, this is a beautiful part of a beautiful state. In fact, National Geographic has designated the Northeast Kingdom as a GeoTourism site — one of only four on the entire planet! www.travelthekingdom.com    

Back roading. A time-honored tradition with LSC students. Grab a Vermont map, get in the car, and explore to your heart’s content. See if you can find the Great Corn Maze. And find out what Vermonters mean by mud season! www.nekchamber.com   

Good things come from Vermont. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Phish. Burton Snowboards. Maple syrup. Hand crafts. Vermont is an interesting state with an equally interesting business climate — entrepreneurship with attitude.   

Bread and Puppet Theater and Museum. This world-famous theater troupe has its home in Glover, 15 miles from LSC. The group uses enormous hand-made puppets and masks as props to weave tales that comment, often humorously, on politics, religion and culture. www.breadandpuppet.org   

A lively political climate. For a small state Vermont has a large political presence. Whatever you may think of his politics, no one will accuse Senator Bernie Sanders of being boring. Then there’s town meeting day. The first Tuesday in March, Vermonters gather to consider their town’s affairs for the year. Occasionally raucous events, this is perhaps America’s best example of direct democracy.   

Close to urban fun. Hungering for a taste of city life? Burlington, Hanover (home to Dartmouth College), Portland and Boston are all within three hours of campus. For a real international experience, Montreal is just two-and-a-half hours away.    

Dog Mountain. In nearby St. Johnsbury is folk artist Stephen Huneck’s dog chapel. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect to find in Vermont. And nowhere else.   

“Freedom and Unity.” Our little state’s motto and one that fits us well. Freedom? Vermont has a long history of tolerance and respect for individual rights and alternative lifestyles. Unity? When you’re in need, you couldn’t find better neighbors.