For many people, the words 'spring break' conjure up images of surf, sun and some much-needed warm weather, as hordes of party-hungry college students head down to hot spots like Cancun and Jamaica over the next few weeks.

But not all spring breakers will be coming back to State College with tans. Favoring skis to surfboards and sweaters to swimsuits, many students choose to spend their vacations soaking up the last few weeks of winter either at home, the slopes or big cities.

"I love winter, so I don't mind cold weather at all," said Amber Gilligan (sophomore-communications), who will be traveling to Boston next week.

"I have relatives there, so I always go to Boston," she said.

Gilligan also plans to spend some time in New Hampshire next week, hitting up the ski slopes.

"Basically, it's a skiing trip," she said.

Susan Abruzzo, a travel agent with the Centre for Travel, 114 Hiester St., said skiing locations are the most popular cold weather destinations.

"It would probably be a skiing location. It would have to be," she said, noting popular locations like Copper Mountain and Breckenridge in Colorado.

Skiing will definitely be a priority for lots of students, many of whom have not had the time to ski while class is in session.

"I've been skiing all my life," Vermont-bound Esch McCombie (senior-economics) said. "This is the best chance I have to get some skiing in."

McCombie also said his ski trip would be more economically feasible than a vacation south of the border.

"It's going to be a little bit cheaper than going down to Cancun or something," he said.

Not all students will be spending their vacations in their ski boots, however.

Mike Uhl (sophomore-mechanical engineering) plans to spend part of his break camping on the Appalachian trail.

"We'll get on the trail and camp and see what happens," Uhl said.

Uhl added that part of the appeal of the trip is the trail's close proximity to home, a factor which will allow him and his friends to visit with their families.

"This way we could still stay close to home while still getting a chance to hang out with friends and try something new."

While Uhl and others stay close to home, some students such as Erica Greer (sophomore-biostatistics) plan to spend their breaks in more foreign locales.

Greer will be spending her vacation in England.

"I've always wanted to travel to England, so I thought spring break would be a good time," Greer said.

"I like warm weather, but I'm excited to see all the sites. Even though it won't be warm, it will still be fun."