Couch potato March Madness is still a few weeks away, so spend this weekend indulging in oysters in St. Louis, taking in an eco-adventure race Texas, and catching the last bit of winter sports by watching snowboarders out West and ice-climbers in Alaska.

By Cannon Kinnard and Nathan Storey

Eco-Lonestar Adventure Race, March 7
Sam Houston National Forest (Between Willis and Huntsville, Texas)

The Eco-Lonestar Adventure Race combines mountain biking, running, and the great unknown. Grab a partner and prepare to roll over rock on 14 miles of mountain bike terrain. After that you’ll lose the bike, run four miles and take on the “mystery events.” Though they remain a secret until the day of the race, past mystery challenges have included a rodeo-rink obstacle course, walking in unison on wood planks with rope handles, and a “hike-a-bike” mile, in which one teammate runs and the other ride. If you’re fortunate to have more than one adventure partner, register for the three-man Eco-Lonestar Extreme race and take on 25 miles of mountain biking, six miles of canoeing, 15 miles of land navigation and trekking, and, of course, those top-secret mystery events. The race starts at seven in the morning, and the winning Extreme Coed team will be awarded $500 toward their team entry fee into the 2009 USARA Adventure Race National Championship in October at Pilot Point, Texas.

The Eco Lonestar basic race is $150 per team, and Lonestar Extreme is $390. Each team is responsible for bringing their own gear, including canoe, life jackets, and mountain bikes, and water craft; if you’re desperate for a kayak call Shaun Bain at 281.221.9660 to rent a Sevylor Kayak (the Eco Lonestar basic race is $150 per team, and Lonestar Extreme is $390; terrafirmapromo.com/events/eco/)

Accommodations and travel: Unless you live near Willis, Texas, fly into the Houston airport and rent a car tod drive the 50 miles to the national park. A limited number of campsites are available at the Stubblefield Campground (for info, go here), and at Huntsville State Park, 409-295-5644.

Alaska Ice Climbing Festival, March 6-8
Hunter Creek, Alaska

Some parts of the lower 48 may be hearing the whisper of spring, but Alaska remains, now and forever, in the grip of winter’s rage. Experience the ultimate in vertical winter sports at the Alaska Ice Climbing Festival where thrill-seekers can pick their way up a frozen waterfall. Carb-load at the AK Backpacker’s Inn’s $15 spaghetti dinner and brew kickoff party on Friday at 6 pm. Then on Saturday, it’s time to rock the ice. Forty-dollar intro climbing clinics at the Hunter’s Creek waterfall run from 8 am to 4 pm, with an all-abilities climbing competition beginning at noon. After the competition hit the après-climb party and raise a glass with your fellow crevasse-evaders. At 7 pm head to the gear auction at the Organic Oasis to bid on equipment from Black Diamond, Mountain Hardware, Petzl, Ice Holdz and others. If you’ve still got the energy, hit the waterfall again on Sunday to test out the new gear with another $40 clinic, focusing on upgrade techniques such as lead and mixed climbing, as well as an intermediate ice-climbing course (free; alaskaiceclimbingfestival.org).

Accommodations and travel: Fly in to Anchorage and then drive the 45 minutes north to Hunter’s Creek. Free parking is provided at Hunter Creek Adventures and a $1 shuttle to and from the ice climbs will be available through the weekend. Directions can be found here. Find more information through the event organizer, Alaska Climbing. Stay at the Alaska Backpacker’s Inn ($25 per person in a communal room, $50 for a single private room, or $60 for a double bed private).

The North Face Masters of Snowboarding, March 5-8
Kirkwood, California

Think you can shred with the best? Test your mettle at Kirkwood Mountain in California as the North Face Masters of Snowboarding tour makes its final stop of the season this weekend. Big-name pros, such as last year’s TNF Masters tour champions Clif Dimon and Susan Mol, and amateurs alike will boast their big mountain skills on The Cirque, Kirkwood’s most daunting terrain. Riders from around the globe will take to the slopes with a $45,000 treasure in their sights and some of the country’s deepest snow pack beneath their boards (Kirkwood gets nearly 400 inches annually). All competitors over the age of 18 are welcome to participate. If you’re more the observer, kick back and watch the aerial stunts with the throngs of other fans taking in one of the last big snowboarding events of the year (free to watch, $165 to enter; thenorthface.com/masters/).

Accommodations and travel: Fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport, rent a four-wheel drive and make the 90-minute jaunt to Kirkwood. Stay on the mountain at hotel-style units for $99 at the Kirkwood Mountain Resort. After you’ve had enough of the competition, grab a day pass ($72) or a two-day ($108) and enjoy some epic spring skiing (kirkwood.com).

Stout and Oyster Festival 2009, March 6-7
St. Louis, Missouri

For the most oysters you’ve ever seen in one place at the same time, head to the heartland for the Stout and Oyster Festival 2009 at the Schlafly Tap Room. Here you’ll find 25,000 fresh oysters flown in from both coasts and served in a variety of ways, such as Rockefeller, fried, on a Po-Boy, grilled and raw. On Saturday, star shuckers with names like Bimbo, Clam, Rawle, Silky Smooth, and Thurman will flaunt their talents in an East vs. West battle at the fifth annual Oyster Cup Competition: a fierce clash in oyster identification, shucking, slurping, and Schlafly Stout appreciation. You can get an early start with the pre-festival party at SqWires restaurant, 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, and indulge in the all you can eat oyster buffet (shell, whole shell, grilled, stewed, fried) with as many Schlafly pints as you can stomach ($25; schlafly.com/oysterfest).

Accommodations and travel: The Schlafly Tap Room is located in downtown St. Louis and within walking distance of many hotels. The St. Louis Union Square Marriott has a breakfast special that gets you a room with two queen-sized beds and breakfast in the morning for $169 a night. The Parlor Suite is available for $269 (marriott.com).