Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Total Mountain net revenue	$ 51,844	$ 402,017	$ 361,741	$ 51,912	$ 46,414	$ 354,586	$ 315,938	$ 49,670	$ 867,514	$ 766,608	$ 752,191
Lodging	58,089	53,834	46,543	52,508	54,751	53,972	48,306	53,594	210,974	210,623	214,658
Resort									1,078,488	977,231	966,849
Real Estate	2,372	13,840	14,167	11,930	12,379	12,587	9,088	13,109	42,309	47,163	200,197
Total net revenue	112,305	469,691	422,451	116,350	113,544	421,145	373,332	116,373	1,120,797	1,024,394	1,167,046
Mountain									639,706	568,578	540,366
Lodging									198,813	204,270	205,903
Resort									838,519	772,848	746,269
Real estate									58,090	63,170	205,232
Total segment operating expense									896,609	836,018	951,501
Gain on sale of real property									6,675	0	0
Mountain equity investment income, net									891	878	1,342
Total Reported EBITDA									231,754	189,254	216,887
Real estate held for sale and investment	195,230				237,668				195,230	237,668	273,663
Depreciation and amortization									(132,688)	(127,581)	(117,957)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets, net									(1,222)	(1,464)	(555)
Asset impairment charge									0	0	(2,561)
Investment income, net									351	469	719
Interest expense, net									(38,966)	(33,586)	(33,641)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									0	0	(7,372)
Income before provision for income taxes									59,229	27,092	55,520
Provision for income taxes (Note 11)									(21,619)	(10,701)	(21,098)
Net income	(59,904)	97,588	60,529	(60,603)	(53,824)	79,528	46,421	(55,734)	37,610	16,391	34,422
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests									133	62	67
Net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc.	(59,868)	97,640	60,551	(60,580)	(53,796)	79,569	46,389	(55,709)	37,743	16,453	34,489
Lift Tickets [Member]
Total Mountain net revenue									390,820	342,500	342,514
Ski School [Member]
Total Mountain net revenue									95,254	84,292	83,818
Dining [Member]
Total Mountain net revenue									81,175	68,376	68,052
Retail/Rental [Member]
Total Mountain net revenue									199,418	181,772	174,339
Other [Member]
Total Mountain net revenue									100,847	89,668	83,468
Resort [Member]
Total Reported EBITDA									240,860	205,261	221,922
Mountain [Member]
Total Reported EBITDA									228,699	198,908	213,167
Lodging [Member]
Total Reported EBITDA									12,161	6,353	8,755
Real Estate [Member]
Total Reported EBITDA									$ (9,106)	$ (16,007)	$ (5,035)