It's better Outdoors

4.9•5427 ratings

Philadelphia, PA, US

3,784 members · Public group

What we’re about

This is a group for anyone that loves to adventure outdoors and wants to do it with other people, even if they are complete strangers. If you are between 21 and 60 and like to hike, camp, raft, ski, board, travel and other activities this is the group for you! If you're only looking for happy hours, this isn't the group for you, this is NOT a singles group. We plan happy hours now and then to get the members of the group together in social settings to discuss future adventures - some good plans can be made over a beer or two! And all good adventures end with a drink!
It's better with someone else...
It's better with beer/drinks...
It's Better Outdoors...
Come join us!

Our motto is : "We don't talk quietly, hike slowly, go to bed early or only have just one drink"

Please make sure to read the Waiver (General Release of Liability). By joining the group you accept the policy decribed here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x-HMpzi-4XKZPa-7XTk-nQIa-v0CwZj5kgehs7mSnGw/edit?usp=sharing

Note: this is NOT a beginners group and events are typically geared towards those with some experience usually at an intermediate or advanced level depending on the event - ie: we don't hike slow and don't do short hikes

Please make sure you also read the 'What is expected of you' as described here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C3oqyau0EjNVnHyKoc1DH0fi5PmLlB7wVH4-eSykZUg/edit?usp=sharing

Joining the group also means you're ok with being photographed during adventures - we always take pics: for the memories and for promotion of future events (we can't always accommodate a 'no photo' request)

This is a real meetup group, this is NOT a business nor am I promoting a business and I do not promote businesses. If you see an event posted that means that I will be there to meet you, greet you, do the activity with you and have a drink with you during or afterwards. We are also not a networking group and do not tolerate solicitation of members.

We welcome anyone in their 20s - 50s of any gender, race or nationality. But please email the event organizer first if you want to bring a dog...sometimes they are ok and sometimes not.

Other important information:
Process Should an issue arise during an event: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FBfABUk5UJSAkWnlF41F3PiZFSLUsp7FcNwM2GXY084/edit?usp=sharing

Payment Instructions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WpIAHKrt_Scl-6y8yIlxdyiIoQLEgvkQPnlfNfGATNc/edit?usp=sharing

General Refund Policy:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sjjmzjvAI18tVuhmBAlSZJiGVzxWmsRO1rv1T_iNjuo/edit?usp=sharing

How to make sure your email settings are correct:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oNZkaEOstTvb1vlHK0BeRwCBpbc33zvfQq_cM64pOsE/edit?usp=sharing

Car Pooling Guidelines:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qXaJ8-sn0ue_BqHbUW5Def3VJrIBHrnqyP9-gnUh4wU/edit?usp=sharing

Featured event

$480.00

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 08:30 EST

Killington Bus trip! Ski/Board/Sightsee/Adventure! only 42 spots!

LA Fitness, North Wales, 120 Garden Golf Blvd, North Wales, pa, US

WITH OUR ROOM RESERVATIONS THE HOTEL IS SOLD OUT THIS WEEKEND WHICH MEANS TO COME ON THIS TRIP YOU HAVE TO JOIN THE BUS TRIP, YOU CAN'T BOOK ON YOUR OWN
I need to give any unsold rooms back to the hotel as of December 20 - you won't be able to email me on Dec 21 asking if there are any additional rooms - you won't get one, unless someone drops out

Killington offers LOTS to do so you don't have to just ski or board with us to come...hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, etc
BUT GET IN EARLY AS I EXPECT THIS TO FILL UP
for the non-skiers, type this into google to see results: non-ski activities in killington in winter

This is more expensive than a drive yourself trip because of the cost of the bus (it's not cheap) and this is peak ski season (unlike the kickoff weekend in Dec) but a bus trip offers:
you don't have to drive, let the professional do it
you can sit back, relax, eat, drink, socialize, watch movies...maybe have a dance party
meeting everyone on the trip since you're together on the bus for like 8 hours
Our bus will have 56 seats and I'm maxing the trip at 42 so we should have some extra space.

We are driving up Saturday to avoid the crowds on the mountain
and we are returning Monday afternoon - we should get a lot of skiing in on Sunday and Monday before leaving with the hopefully smaller crowds
but it also gives us a great 2 day lift ticket price - see below

We are staying at the Cascades Lodge, which many will know from the XNM kickoff trips
Cascades offers rooms with double beds and a pool and a hot tub
more about Cascades: https://www.cascadeslodge.com/

The plan:
Saturday Feb 28 - bus departs behind the LA Fitness in Montgomeryville at 9am
Saturday night - out and about
Sunday - your day to adventure/ski (our bus will take people to the mountain at various times - TBA)
Sunday Night - Pizza Party at Cascades (more info to come)
Monday - you must check out and load up your stuff on the bus before going out to ski/adventure (there will be several time slots to do this); bus departs Killington for home at 4:30 or 5pm - TBD (it's a long drive meaning we won't be back until LATE)

COMMUNICATION:
I need everyone's cell # and home email address when you sign up (I don't have access to that data as an organizer) - this is only for specific trip communications if needed, no general meetup messages will be sent here
If you sign up for a trip, it's your responsibility to check meetup emails and comments on the event for any news, notes and updates. Make sure you're getting emails from Meetup
2 weeks before the trip I'll start a Whatsapp chat for anyone that wants to join - I'll add everyone, unless you tell me not to

Costs per person:
double room (2 double beds) - $480
single room (2 beds to yourself) - $785
triple room* (2 double beds, so you are sharing beds) - $410
quad room* (2 double beds, so you are sharing beds) - $380
roommates: if you have one in mind, let me know. I will try not to pair random strangers up but it may come to that if needed - make sure to let me know if you are ok with that. I will ask first. Feel free to say NO. I won't mix genders in rooms for random roommates.
Full refund for any reason until January 9; After that a refund will only be issued if someone can take your spot. Drop outs after Feb 20 will only get 90% refund even if someone takes your spot. NO REFUNDS after Feb 26.
Deposit due when you sign up: $100 venmo: @Gary-Kiefer
Balance due January 9
if the balance due isn't paid by Jan 16, there'll be a 5% late fee - I don't want your money, I want you to pay on-time

Please answer all the questions in the pop up when you RSVP

*if you sign up for a triple or quad room you need to arrange your own roommates - I will not assign random people to share beds AND if you sign up for a triple or quad and someone drops out and you can't replace them, you have be willing to pay the higher price for a double or triple however it works out

costs include the bus ride, tip for bus driver, and 2 nights lodging
lift tickets or any other adventures are on your own - Killington is on the IKON pass if you have it
We got a great deal on a 2 day lift ticket for those that don't have IKON - just $187 for 2 days! Will need to be purchased ahead of time - more to come on that
Pizza party will be a separate cost item once arranged
breakfast is NOT included

Notes about bus trips (based on prior experience):
alcohol is allowed - but you must keep it clean - I've seen cleaning fees of $300 charged for a spilled beer already so be careful! Guess who's going to pay that....not me haha
The bus tends to turn into a little bit of a party so you must be ok with that - bring ear plugs if you're not
speaking of ear plugs, movies will be played at a volume where everyone can hear so if you aren't into watching, bring ear plugs - note: volume of movies tends to fluctuate - sometimes speaking sections are quieter than the music sections - just deal with the volume swells when they happen
I hate that I have to tell people about seating but there are no assigned seats. Just because you had one seat on the way up doesn't mean you get the same seat on the way back. Yes you can save your seat with a backpack at the start or during the trip but not just a water bottle.
21+ only...we drink on the bus so everyone has to be legal
40 don't wait for 1...if you're late you're going to miss the bus - we've left people before

Riddle for the bus ride:
I vanish with steps, yet I’m never quite gone,
My memory lingers though the maker moves on.
I’m born in the wild where few dare to tread,
A path made in silence, by courage and dread.
You won't find me drawn with a pen or a chart,
But those who explore know I play my part.
I'm fleeting as wind, or carved deep and slow—
A ghost of the journey wherever you go.
What am I?