Qantas adds seasonal ski flights to Cooma, Albury
This winter, ditch the daily grind for a week (or even a long weekend) and hit the snowfields of the NSW and Victorian alps.
By David Flynn, March 9 2021
The flying kangaroo is set to become the skiing and snowboarding kangaroo, at least for three months between July and September, with Qantas adding three new routes to Cooma and Albury, which serve as gateways to the snowfields in New South Wales and Victoria.
From 1 July to 26 September 2021, Qantas will run the following flights on its nimble if noisy all-economy QantasLink De Havilland 'Dash 8' Q400 turboprops:
- Sydney to Cooma: three days per week
- Brisbane to Cooma: two days per week
- Brisbane to Albury: three days per week
Cooma opens up the popular resorts of Perisher Valley, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass in New South Wales, with Albury providing access to the Falls Creek and Hotham resorts in Victoria.
Ski and snowboard equipment can be included as part of the airline's standard checked baggage allowance.
Qantas' Q400 turboprop will whisk travellers to and from the snowfields.
The seasonal flights will offer a domestic respite to skiers who'd usually escape to the prized powder of New Zealand, Japan or Canada, among others, if not for the international travel ban.
"We're expecting these flights will be popular with skiers and snowboarders who might not have been able to hit the slopes through COVID last season in Australia or overseas," suggests QantasLink CEO John Gissing.
"With international border closures meaning more Australians are planning their next holiday closer to home, we are creating more travel options where there is demand."
Flights to Albury will get you to Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps.
The flights from Sydney to Cooma will be timed to allow travellers to depart after work on a Thursday or Friday and return Sunday evening, which enables them to enjoy a long weekend of skiing without needing to drive.
The flights from Brisbane to Cooma and Albury will also offer Queenslanders the only direct airline connection to the snowfields this season.
This winter, swap the daily grind for a different type of grind.
One-way fares for flights between Sydney and Cooma start at $179, or 8,000 Qantas Points; Brisbane-Cooma and Brisbane-Albury begin at $239, or 12,000 Qantas Points.
Qantas' unlimited flight change rules will apply to all bookings made "until at least the end of April 2021" with alternative flights available " through to at least February 2022," the airline says – meaning there'll be no change fee for shifting to another date (although you have to keep the same route), although a difference against the fare itself may apply.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 135
True, though it will definitely be worth it if you are coming down from Queensland though
13 May 2020
Total posts 827
covo95
Not really. Timings of flights from Brisbane, means you can only ski 6 days with 7 nights.
Spoke to person we book lots of holidays & she said for around $450 more & 24,000 to 36,000 points, can fly to LAX or San Francisco return in January school holidays & onto a myriad of airports in Colorado.
Very easy to upgrade to business class.
From any airport can get a large car or four wheel drive for about au$100 one way for a day including insurance.
Then good on snow accommodation for around 1/3 to ¼ of cost in Australia & lift tickets almost free.
Makes it hard to ski in Australia or New Zealand with guaranteed good snow from November to April, especially can do other things in USA. Very easy getting around using points which includes checked baggage.
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 135
Also there are bus coaches that run between Cooma airport and thredbo and Perisher That match with the flight timetables
03 Aug 2020
Total posts 22
Hi Phil ... can I please ask where you are sourcing the info on baggage allowance? I have tried to find an exception to the Gold member’s allowance and can’t find anything on the Qantas website. I guess alternatively the online rate of $50 would presumably be available.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
Hi JD1, the luggage information for flights on the Dash8 are contradictory. The website says that for Dash8 services the limit is 1 x 23kg (except for Lord Howe). Yet my eTicket for an upcoming flight on a Dash8 has my luggage limit as 2 x 32kg, but then I'm Platinum One. Normally I rely on the website for such information, for the luggage limits on QF eTickets is invariably incorrect.
Luggage limits for QF are about as clear and consistent as Lounge access elibility.
03 Aug 2020
Total posts 22
Thanks for the reply Phil
17 Nov 2020
Total posts 5
Totally agree.
Better choice is Canberra, then rent a car to Thredbo or Perisher.
Much more flexible than Cooma.
13 May 2020
Total posts 827
Phil
more like 80km from OOM but just over 200km from CBR.
Rental cars are problematic. If going for a week the costs add up. Week means 8 days rental as most people want to arrive CBR earlyish & depart later (if you get a 5 day lift ticket or longer you get to ski an extra 1/2 day), at about $85/day or more, for a 4wd ($690). No cheap car rental at or near CBR unlike BNE, SYD, MEL. Then have to rent chains & pay nation park entry fees. Chains if needed are a pain in the butt to fit/remove. Also driving in the snow can be a little bit tricky for those not experienced. Have seen plenty of cars slide off the road when snow, even 4wds. Last year we were quoted $1400 for return transfers CBR/Thredbo in a large 4wd to take 6 of us with luggage & skis. We passed on that.
01 Nov 2017
Total posts 19
The flight times from Sydney to Cooma allow for a Thursday evening flight down and Sunday evening flight back. It's timed well for a long weekend ski trip.
13 May 2020
Total posts 827
but the BNE/Cooma flights mean you can't ski at all on check in or check out day, unless you fly via SYD.
17 Nov 2020
Total posts 5
Fly to Canberra, then drive.
It's at least 6 hours drive from Jinderbine to Sydney.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 319
I take a lot of Q400 flights and never had an issue with taking 2 pieces of checked luggage, what they are always strict on is cabin baggage.
13 May 2020
Total posts 827
is Cooma airport runway up to it ? Thought it needed some work
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Rex has been flying the Saabs to OOM for some time (until very recently).
13 May 2020
Total posts 827
yes but heard runway in poor condition or part of it. Q400 is much heavier than a Saab 340. Years ago Air NSW (part of Ansett I think) used to fly an F28-4000 jet BNE/OOM once a week & SYD/OOM daily if I remember correctly.
Obviously Qantas don't have a jet similar but Alliance does.
Albury can take a B737-300 but don't think it can take a B737-800 unless weight restricted. Albury can take a F70, F100 & probably aa E190, with full loads.
It will be interesting to see if coach connections to both Falls Creek & Mt Hotham work as imagine they should.
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