Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

New Accounting Standards— In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, “Revenue Recognition”. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The standard will be effective for the first interim period within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 (the Company's 2018 first fiscal quarter), using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is evaluating the impacts, if any, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 will have on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

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 Condensed Financial Statements— Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests along with net income 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 Nine Months Ended April 30,
	2014									2013
	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 income (loss)	103,833			(204		)	103,629			97,611			(97		)	97,514
Stock-based compensation expense	10,539			—			10,539			9,544			—			9,544
Issuance of shares under share award plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	(4,797		)	—			(4,797		)	(3,832		)	—			(3,832		)
Tax benefit from share award plans	3,738			—			3,738			3,768			—			3,768
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(29,998		)	—			(29,998		)	(20,905		)	—			(20,905		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	—			169			169			—			62			62
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(34		)	—			(34		)	251			—			251
Balance, end of period	$	907,149		$	13,966		$	921,115		$	888,748		$	13,982		$	902,730

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 April 30, 2014 are presented below (in thousands):



	April 30, 2014
	Carrying Value		Fair Value
6.50% Notes	$	390,000	$	409,988
Canyons obligation	$	310,472	$	310,472
Industrial Development Bonds	$	41,200	$	47,286
Other long-term debt	$	5,855	$	6,366