Milan Olympics or Japan?

[Anonymous]

2 weeks with 2 kids both Boys, upper elementary school aged

Milan-Cortina Olympics
(would see 3 or 4 events but not opening ceremony or closing)
Milan - Cortina- Venice
February 2026


or

Japan
Tokyo - Kyoto + Tokyo Disney
November 2025

Which would you pick and why?

[Anonymous]

I think Japan. I love the Olympics and have been to several summer Olympics, but the winter games seem better to watch on TV! (I guess unless you love the skating/other indoor sports).

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Milan is hosting skating. It’s my personal dream to see a female ice skating event and then we would go to see some skiing, snowboarding and a skeleton/bobsled event in Cortina. Kids are big time skiers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Milan is hosting skating. It’s my personal dream to see a female ice skating event and then we would go to see some skiing, snowboarding and a skeleton/bobsled event in Cortina. Kids are big time skiers.

Yes, this is what I meant - I think the skating would be great in person. Skiing/snowboarding events seem like they would be less fun to watch in person as you can’t see as much from one place and you’ll be standing freezing in the cold while you do it. Maybe if it can be combined with doing some skiing as well though, presumably not in Cortina itself but elsewhere in the Dolomites, then it would be great. We just returned from skiing in the Dolomites and had an amazing time so I highly recommend that!

[Anonymous]

Japan. I'd rather experience a trip vs watch an experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Milan is hosting skating. It’s my personal dream to see a female ice skating event and then we would go to see some skiing, snowboarding and a skeleton/bobsled event in Cortina. Kids are big time skiers.

Yes, this is what I meant - I think the skating would be great in person. Skiing/snowboarding events seem like they would be less fun to watch in person as you can’t see as much from one place and you’ll be standing freezing in the cold while you do it. Maybe if it can be combined with doing some skiing as well though, presumably not in Cortina itself but elsewhere in the Dolomites, then it would be great. We just returned from skiing in the Dolomites and had an amazing time so I highly recommend that!

Where did you go/which hotel did you stay? Did you bring your equipment? Our epic passes allow for skiing in Europe but I worry it would just be a lot to carry so much gear over, even if we rented, bringing all the kids snow clothes and boots and googles and going between cities without a car at times seems overwhelming. I wonder if the resorts would be crazy at that time too since they are hosting the Olympics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Milan is hosting skating. It’s my personal dream to see a female ice skating event and then we would go to see some skiing, snowboarding and a skeleton/bobsled event in Cortina. Kids are big time skiers.

Yes, this is what I meant - I think the skating would be great in person. Skiing/snowboarding events seem like they would be less fun to watch in person as you can’t see as much from one place and you’ll be standing freezing in the cold while you do it. Maybe if it can be combined with doing some skiing as well though, presumably not in Cortina itself but elsewhere in the Dolomites, then it would be great. We just returned from skiing in the Dolomites and had an amazing time so I highly recommend that!

Where did you go/which hotel did you stay? Did you bring your equipment? Our epic passes allow for skiing in Europe but I worry it would just be a lot to carry so much gear over, even if we rented, bringing all the kids snow clothes and boots and googles and going between cities without a car at times seems overwhelming. I wonder if the resorts would be crazy at that time too since they are hosting the Olympics.

DP -- Dolomiti Superski (several resorts in the Dolomites) are on Ikon. But the lift ticket price is super-reasonable so I wouldn't necessarily change passes just for the trip.

We have skied in the Dolomites twice, basing ourselves in Cortina. But during the Olympics I would think about Val Gardena or another spot in the Dolomites for skiing yourselves ... presumably you will want to be in/near Cortina to watch downhill events, which I think are largely based at Tofana and Falore, which are accessible from downtown Cortina via gondola or cable car. FWIW, we rented skis and poles but brought our boots with us. There are multiple places to rent equipment in Cortina and throughout the Dolomites. I will say it was still a lot to corral ... we rented a car to go up to Cortina and other Dolomite ski areas, but once we were back in Venice, and then taking the train to Florence, it felt like we were schlepping a lot. In reality it was a boot bag and two suitcases, but to/from/around train stations, it was a lot to carry.

[Anonymous]

We don’t have any US passes so that didnt affect our decision. We rented stuff there except the adult boots which we brought with. We didn’t hire a car as once you’re in the resort there’s no need at all. We got a transfer from Venice airport which was super easy. After the skiing we spent a few days in Venice but again was easy just getting a car to the boat dock, water taxi to our hotel and leaving the luggage there.
We stayed in a town called Arabba which is on the Sella Ronda and it was great. Val Gardena would also be a great choice.

[Anonymous]

New poster. Article in NYT on 23 Dec. And ve copied text re Dolomites below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/travel/europe-skiing-budget.html

In northern Italy, the limestone cliffs, pinnacles and dipping plateaus — once primordial coral reefs that rose from the ocean some 250 million years ago — are so geologically fantastical that the entire region is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dolomiti Superski, an area of 12 linked resorts, with 800 miles of terrain and 450 lifts, is all accessible on one pass. Intermediates will love the wide groomers at Val di Fassa, Alta Badia and Cortina, specifically around Olimpia delle Tofane, the site of the 1956 Olympics. But there is plenty of advanced stuff, too. Val Gardena, Kronplatz and Arabba have steep black runs and off-piste options.

Navigating among the mountains and valleys that make up Dolomiti Superski, particularly transfers, can suck valuable time from your holiday. Dolomite Mountains, a local company, can organize the entire trip, from lodging and transfers to ski guides and meals, allowing you to experience multiple resorts in a few days. They can also organize a trip that lets you stay at the rustic inns known as rifugios on the mountains.

Ski Pass: 83 euros or about $87 per day in high season, 75 euros or about $80 during regular season; a seven-day pass is 449 euros in high season and 404 euros in regular season; the Ikon pass is also accepted.

Lunch: The region’s border-shifting heritage is on display in dishes like beetroot-stuffed gnocchi, speck ‎knödel (dumplings) and barley risotto. The cost usually runs from €20 to €40 a person.
Lodging: In Val Gardena, the 46-room Hotel Tyrol has large, welcoming rooms with views of the Sella massif, and indoor and outdoor pools (starting at €220 per person with half board). Hotel La Majun in Alta Badia is a ski-in, ski-out property with 39 sleek rooms, a wine bar and thrilling mountainscape views (starting at €570 with half board).

[Anonymous]

I’m the PP who just returned from Dolomites and just wanted to add that the food was amazing on the mountain! Another town to consider staying in on the Sella Ronda is Corvara.