Whether it’s skiing on the snowy mountains or ice skating in Rockefeller Center, a vacation can be a royal getaway for those who crave the cold. Winter, however, is not the favorite vacation time among Americans. A recent Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,000 Adults shows 65% will not take a vacation this winter, compared to 27% who say they will.

When asked their favorite time to getaway, 40% of adults say summer is the ultimate time to take a trip. Spring and fall tie for second at 16%, while the frigid winter months come in last at 12%.

Winter sports are for the young. Men under 40 enjoy winter sports such as downhill and cross country skiing and snowboarding more than older men. A similar pattern is found among women.

With cold temperatures putting a damper on many outdoor activities, 38% say they’ll pursue an indoor home project this winter. That means more people will be working around the house than taking a vacation this winter. Not surprisingly, more men (42%) say they will take on a project than women (35%).

Finally, a third (32%) of adults admit they will not take a vacation this year. That’s down five from our poll conducted last summer. Seventy-three percent (73%) of Americans under forty will not go on a trip in 2007, compared to 56% of adults over 40 who say they’ll take more than two weeks of vacation.