Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary On Estimated Useful Life Of Property, Plant And Equipment

Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method, including property, plant and equipment under capital leases, generally based on the following useful lives:

	Estimated Life in Years
Land improvements	10-35
Buildings and building improvements	7-30
Machinery and equipment	2-30
Furniture and fixtures	3-10
Software	3
Vehicles	3-10

Summary Of Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the 6.50% Notes, Canyons obligation, Industrial Development Bonds and other long-term debt as of July 31, 2013 and 2012 is presented below (in thousands):

	July 31, 2013				July 31, 2012
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
6.50% Notes	$	390,000	$	409,500	$	390,000	$	417,300
Canyons obligation	$	306,320	$	306,320	$	—	$	—
Industrial Development Bonds	$	41,200	$	47,512	$	41,200	$	49,267
Other long-term debt	$	6,827	$	7,297	$	6,990	$	7,821

Allocation Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

	Year Ended July 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Mountain operating expense	$	9,007	$	7,614	$	7,140
Lodging operating expense	1,917		1,744		2,088
Real estate operating expense	1,425		2,641		3,265
Pre-tax stock-based compensation expense	12,349		11,999		12,493
Less: benefit for income taxes	4,709		4,567		4,738
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	7,640	$	7,432	$	7,755