What does glissading mean?
Glissading is the act of gliding downhill on skis in a long, controlled, usually straight descent. It is a familiar term in skiing, where a skier can accelerate across an open slope without making linked turns and can regulate speed by traversing or edging the skis. In mountaineering, the same word can refer to descending a steep snowfield on foot by deliberately sliding, often with an ice axe used to control the pace. The term conveys controlled, effortless-looking movement, although the speed involved may be considerable. Outside sporting contexts, “glide” or “slide” will usually be more natural. Glissading is worth knowing because it names a distinct and technically recognizable form of downhill movement rather than merely sliding in the general sense.
verb (present participle)To descend a snowy slope on skis in a long, controlled, usually straight glide. The term can also describe descending a steep snow-covered slope on foot by deliberately sliding.
- In skiing, descending a slope on skis in a long, controlled, usually straight glide.
- In mountaineering, descending a steep snow-covered slope on foot by sliding, often while using an ice axe to control speed.
"After checking that the piste was clear, she began glissading down the open slope."
"He glissading down the final pitch before the mountain hut."
"The climbers spent several minutes glissading down the steep snowfield."
Glissading names the smooth, fast downhill glide that turns a ski slope into a runway.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glissading come from?
The word comes through French glissade, a noun meaning a slide or slipping movement, from French glisser, “to slip or slide.” Glisser ultimately derives from a Romance form of Latin glissus, meaning “slippery” or “smooth.” The closely related musical term glissando entered English through Italian glissare, which developed from the same Latin root.
How glissading is actually used
This is primarily specialist vocabulary in skiing and mountaineering rather than general-purpose English. In skiing contexts, it usually suggests a smooth descent with little or no turning; in mountaineering, it denotes a controlled slide on foot.
Easily confused with glissading
A glissando is a musical effect in which a note slides smoothly from one pitch to another, whereas glissading involves sliding down a snowy slope.