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		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Balance, beginning of period			$ 816,328	$ 843,719
Net (loss) income	97,588	79,528	97,514	70,216
Stock-based compensation expense			9,544	9,349
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes			(3,832)	(2,661)
Tax benefit from share award plan			3,768	1,442
Repurchases of common stock			0	(7,869)
Cash dividends paid on common stock			(20,905)	(17,559)
Contributions (distributions) from/to noncontrolling interests, net			62	30
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(202)	61	251	61
Balance, end of period	902,730	896,728	902,730	896,728
Total Vail Resorts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Balance, beginning of period			802,311	829,723
Net (loss) income			97,611	70,250
Stock-based compensation expense			9,544	9,349
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes			(3,832)	(2,661)
Tax benefit from share award plan			3,768	1,442
Repurchases of common stock			0	(7,869)
Cash dividends paid on common stock			(20,905)	(17,559)
Contributions (distributions) from/to noncontrolling interests, net			0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments			251	61
Balance, end of period	888,748	882,736	888,748	882,736
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance, beginning of period			14,017	13,996
Net (loss) income			(97)	(34)
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			62	30
Foreign currency translation adjustments			0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 13,982	$ 13,992	$ 13,982	$ 13,992