Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Mountain revenue	$ 51,844	$ 402,017	$ 361,741	$ 51,912	$ 46,414	$ 354,586	$ 315,938	$ 49,670	$ 867,514	$ 766,608	$ 752,191
Lodging revenue	58,089	53,834	46,543	52,508	54,751	53,972	48,306	53,594	210,974	210,623	214,658
Real estate revenue	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
Income (loss) from operations	(84,053)	165,342	105,963	(90,299)	(80,919)	140,406	84,218	(84,374)	96,953	59,331	94,472
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 income (loss) 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
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.67)	$ 2.72	$ 1.69	$ (1.70)	$ (1.50)	$ 2.21	$ 1.29	$ (1.54)	$ 1.05	$ 0.46	$ 0.96
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.67)	$ 2.66	$ 1.65	$ (1.70)	$ (1.50)	$ 2.17	$ 1.27	$ (1.54)	$ 1.03	$ 0.45	$ 0.94