Glissades

Glissade (plural glissades) is a term used across several disciplines to describe a controlled slide or glide, and it derives from the French verb glisser, “to slide.” The core idea in all uses is a movement that emphasizes smoothness and transfer of weight rather than a rigid, stamping step.

In mountaineering and snow travel, a glissade is a controlled descent down a snow slope. Practitioners sit or slide on their feet, sometimes using an ice axe or hands to brake and stabilize. Glissades are employed to descend steep, snow-covered terrain when a direct rappel or other descent method is impractical, but they carry risks such as loss of control, abrasion, or encountering hidden hazards beneath the surface. Technique emphasizes body position, speed control, and appropriate slope choice.

In dance, especially ballet, a glissade is a traveling step in which the working foot slides along the floor from one position to another, often accompanied by a small jump or transfer of weight. Common varieties include petit glissade (small) and grande glissade (large), performed en avant or en arrière, typically used to connect more formal steps with fluidity and grace.

In ice skating and related forms, glissade refers to a glide or weight transfer from one blade edge to another, producing a smooth, continuous motion that serves as a transitional or connecting element within routines.

Across contexts, glissades share the central theme of controlled sliding or gliding, adapted to the demands and conventions of each discipline.