Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary Of Changes In Stockholders Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Balance, beginning of period			$ 816,328	$ 843,719
Net (loss) income	60,529	46,421	(74)	(9,313)
Stock-based compensation expense			6,631	6,820
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes			(3,792)	(2,219)
Tax benefit from share award plan			3,898	927
Repurchases of common stock			0	(7,869)
Cash dividends paid on common stock			(13,458)	(10,801)
Contributions (distributions) from/to noncontrolling interests, net			116	(22)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	159	0	453	0
Balance, end of period	810,102	821,242	810,102	821,242
Total Vail Resorts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Balance, beginning of period			802,311	829,723
Net (loss) income			(29)	(9,320)
Stock-based compensation expense			6,631	6,820
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes			(3,792)	(2,219)
Tax benefit from share award plan			3,898	927
Repurchases of common stock			0	(7,869)
Cash dividends paid on common stock			(13,458)	(10,801)
Contributions (distributions) from/to noncontrolling interests, net			0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments			453	0
Balance, end of period	796,014	807,261	796,014	807,261
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance, beginning of period			14,017	13,996
Net (loss) income			(45)	7
Stock-based compensation expense			0	0
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes			0	0
Tax benefit from share award plan			0	0
Repurchases of common stock			0	0
Cash dividends paid on common stock			0	0
Contributions (distributions) from/to noncontrolling interests, net			116	(22)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 14,088	$ 13,981	$ 14,088	$ 13,981