Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Consolidated Financial Statements Policy [Table Text Block]

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements— In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2013. Certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies, normally included in fiscal year financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2013 was derived from audited financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Financial Statements

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements— Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests along with net loss attributable to the stockholders of the Company are reported separately in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations. Additionally, noncontrolling interests in the consolidated subsidiaries of the Company are reported as a separate component of equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet, apart from the Company’s equity. The following table summarizes the changes in total stockholders’ equity (in thousands):



	For the Three Months Ended October 31,
	2013									2012
	Vail Resorts Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Stockholders' Equity			Vail Resorts Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance, beginning of period	$	823,868		$	14,001		$	837,869		$	802,311		$	14,017		$	816,328
Net loss	(73,376		)	(61		)	(73,437		)	(60,580		)	(23		)	(60,603		)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,492			—			3,492			3,472			—			3,472
Issuance of shares under share award plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	(4,793		)	—			(4,793		)	(3,989		)	—			(3,989		)
Tax benefit from share award plans	2,843			—			2,843			3,592			—			3,592
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(7,489		)	—			(7,489		)	(6,729		)	—			(6,729		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	—			56			56			—			64			64
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	11			—			11			294			—			294
Balance, end of period	$	744,556		$	13,996		$	758,552		$	738,371		$	14,058		$	752,429

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Instruments— The recorded amounts for cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of amounts outstanding under the Employee Housing Bonds (Note 4, Long-Term Debt) approximate book value due to the variable nature of the interest rate associated with that debt. The fair value of the 6.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 (“6.50% Notes”) (Note 4, Long-Term Debt) are based on quoted market prices (a Level 1 input). The fair value of the Canyons obligation (Note 4, Long-Term Debt) has been estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the discount rate established under the initial purchase accounting (Note 5, Acquisitions) (a Level 3 input). The fair value of the Company’s Industrial Development Bonds (Note 4, Long-Term Debt) and other long-term debt have been estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on current borrowing rates for debt with similar remaining maturities and ratings (a Level 3 input). The estimated fair values of the 6.50% Notes, Canyons obligation, Industrial Development Bonds and other long-term debt as of October 31, 2013 are presented below (in thousands):



	October 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value
6.50% Notes	$	390,000	$	415,350
Canyons obligation	$	307,706	$	307,706
Industrial Development Bonds	$	41,200	$	45,359
Other long-term debt	$	6,584	$	6,837