2009 was an exciting year for in snow sports. The launch of tetongravity.com 2.0  opened up news and stories from around the world. Here are some of our picks of the top stories from 2009(Our news feed started in May so it is more recent news)

1. Warren Miller versus Level 1.

This is one of the more exciting stories of the year. Warren Miller issued a lawsuit against Level 1 Productions in the fall of 2009 for their use of Mr. Warren Miller’s voice in their new film Refresh. The case got more exciting when Mr. Warren Miller himself stepped in and demanded that the lawsuit be against him and not Level 1 productions.

The stories can be found here.

Warren Miller Ent. vs Level 1 lawsuit. Mr. Warren Miller releases statement with latest updates to the case.

Case on Hold. The full story behind WME's decision to put it's lawsuit against Level 1 on hold.

2. On October 1^st 2009, long time TGR rider and Big Mountain Legend Jeremy Jones announces that he is leaving Rossignol Snowboards after 19 years. Jones quickly followed up that press release with the announcment that he is planning on launching Jones Snowboards.

Based in Squaw Valley, CA, Jones Snowboards is the product of Jones’s desire to develop a line of snowboards catering specifically to freeriders.Drawing on over 25 years in the snowboard industry and the peer proven talent that won him Snowboarder Magazine’s Big Mountain Rider of the Year Award an unprecedented eight times, Jones will combine his passion for freeriding with his vast research and design experience to deliver authentic products that far exceed today’s standards of freeride snowboards. Click here for the rest of the story.

3. Ski Legend Doug Coombs is inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The late Doug Coombs may be the most recognizable skier in this year’s class for his appearances in many ski films in the 1990’s.  A former ski racer from Montana State University, he is regarded by many as the most important skier of his generation in popularizing adventure skiing.Click here for the rest of the story.

4. Pro Skier JT Holmes captivates world audience with CBS 60 minutes.

A fitting tribute to ski legend  Shane McConkey. JT eloquently represents the art of flying at a time when the world was grieving the loss of one of the greatest Birdmen of all time. Check out the video and story here.

5.  The future arrives and action sports films lead the charge.          

Action Sports Films take over Itunes.

We live in the digital age. Email, social networks, digital music and streaming video have dominated the space over the last few years. Now downloadable films and TV show are following suit. The Action Sports world has always been an early adopter of new trends and technologies. Click here for the rest of the story

6. .  October 2009 delivered some of the best early season conditions in recent history. Here are a few of our favorite stories covering epic October.

On September 31^st, 2009, Grand Targhee Resort gets hit with over 14” of fresh.

46 Ski Resorts Open World Wide in Historical October Early Winter.

Loveland Ski Area becomes first in North America to open.

7.Tom Burt captures peoples imagination as he storm surf’s all time waves on Lake Tahoe.

Here is the way to usher in a storm at Tahoe Nov. 20th. I went for a surf check at 8 am and was in the water by 9 am. Four other surfers joined me at this spot.  It was good for Tahoe and I came as close as I ever have in getting a barrel in fresh water. Click here for the rest of the story.

8. Jeremy Jones uncovers the origins of snowboarding

Father snowboarding goes by the name Celime. I met him two years ago in Turkey. (Read Post) Celime has been riding longer then anyone else in the world. He is a goofy footer. He has a certain sparkle in his eyes and content demeanor that can only be achieved from a life well spent in the mountains. He is a happy and peaceful man who has found his fountain of youth, riding everyday. Click here for the rest of the story.

9. Is this a sign of things to come? Breckenridge ski town legalizes marijuana.

10.  The year closed with another big news release as Sage Cattabriga-Alosa announces he is leaving Rossignol Skis. Sage has yet to announce his next move. We expect to learn more at the beginning of 2010. Full release here.