Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation-- The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its majority-owned subsidiaries and all variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in which the Company does not have a controlling interest or is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents-- The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash-- Restricted cash primarily represents amounts held as state-regulated reserves for self-insured workers’ compensation claims.

Trade Receivables

Trade Receivables-- The Company records trade accounts receivable in the normal course of business related to the sale of products or services. The Company generally charges interest on past due accounts at a rate of 18% per annum. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a specific reserve analysis and on a percentage of accounts receivable, and takes into consideration such factors as historical write-offs, the economic climate and other factors that could affect collectability. Write-offs are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Inventories

Inventories-- The Company’s inventories consist primarily of purchased retail goods, food and beverage items and spare parts. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or fair value, determined using primarily an average weighted cost method. The Company records a reserve for estimated shrinkage and obsolete or unusable inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment-- Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that improve the functionality of the related asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property, plant and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related gain or loss is included in operating income. 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

The Company capitalizes interest on non-real estate construction projects expected to take longer than one year to complete and cost more than $1.0 million. The Company capitalized zero, zero and $0.1 million of interest on non-real estate projects during the years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company has certain assets being used in resort operations that were constructed as amenities in conjunction with real estate development and included in project costs and expensed as the real estate was sold. Accordingly, there is no carrying value and no depreciation expense related to these assets in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. These assets were primarily placed in service from 1995 to 1997 with an original cost of approximately $33.0 million and an average estimated useful life of 15 years.

Real Estate Held for Sale and Investment

Real Estate Held for Sale and Investment-- The Company capitalizes as real estate held for sale and investment the original land acquisition cost, direct construction and development costs, property taxes, interest recorded on costs related to real estate under development and other related costs, including costs that will be capitalized as resort depreciable assets associated with mixed-use real estate development projects for which the Company cannot specifically identify the components at the time of incurring such cash outflows until the property reaches its intended use. Additionally, the Company records depreciation on completed condominium units that are placed in rental programs until such units are sold. Sales and marketing expenses are charged against income in the period incurred. Sales commission expenses are charged against income in the period that the related revenue from real estate sales is recorded. The Company records capitalized interest once construction activities commence and real estate deposits have been utilized in construction. The Company did not capitalize interest on real estate development projects during the years ended July 31, 2014 , 2013 and 2012.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs-- Certain costs incurred with the issuance of debt securities are capitalized and included in deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is charged to interest expense over the respective term of the applicable debt issues.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-- The Company has classified as goodwill the cost in excess of fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired in purchase transactions. The Company’s major intangible asset classes are trademarks, water rights, customer lists, property management contracts, Forest Service permits and excess reorganization value. Goodwill and various indefinite-lived intangible assets, including excess reorganization value and certain trademarks and water rights, are not amortized, but are subject to at least annual impairment testing. The Company tests annually (or more often, if necessary) for impairment as of May 1. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized over the shorter of their contractual terms or estimated useful lives.

The testing for impairment consists of a comparison of the fair value of the assets with their carrying values. If the carrying amount of the assets exceed its fair value, an impairment will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. If the carrying amount of the assets does not exceed the fair value, no impairment loss is recognized. For the testing of goodwill for impairment, the Company determines the estimated fair value of its reporting units using discounted cash flow analyses. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is estimated using an income approach. The Company determined that there was no impairment to goodwill or significant intangible assets during the years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived Assets-- The Company evaluates potential impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If the sum of the expected cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company does not believe any events or changes in circumstances indicating an impairment of the carrying amount of a long-lived asset occurred during the years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition-- The following describes the composition of revenues for the Company:

• Mountain revenue is derived from a wide variety of sources, including, among other things, sales of lift tickets (including season passes), ski school operations, dining operations, retail sales, equipment rentals, private ski club amortized initiation fees and dues, marketing and internet advertising, commercial leasing, employee housing and municipal services, and are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed.

• Lodging revenue is derived from a wide variety of sources, including, among other things, hotel operations, dining operations, property management services, managed hotel property payroll cost reimbursements, private golf club amortized initiation fees and dues, transportation services and golf course greens fees, and are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed. Revenue from payroll cost reimbursements relates to payroll costs of managed hotel properties where the Company is the employer. The reimbursements are based upon the costs incurred with no added margin; therefore, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no net effect on the Company’s operating income or net income.

• Revenue from non-refundable private club initiation fees are recognized over the estimated life of the facilities on a straight-line basis upon inception of the club. As of July 31, 2014, the weighted average remaining period over which the private club initiation fees will be recognized is approximately 19 years. Additionally, certain club initiation fees are refundable in 30 years after the date of acceptance of a member. Under these memberships, the difference between the amount paid by the member and the present value of the refund obligation is recorded as deferred initiation fee revenue in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over 30 years. The present value of the refund obligation is recorded as an initiation deposit liability and accretes over the nonrefundable term using the effective interest method. The accretion is included in interest expense.

• Real estate revenue primarily includes the sale of condominium units and are recorded using the full accrual method and occurs only upon the following: (i) substantial completion of the entire development project, (ii) receipt of certificates of occupancy or temporary certificates of occupancy from local governmental agencies, if applicable, (iii) closing of the sales transaction including receipt of all, or substantially all, sales proceeds (including any deposits previously received), and (iv) transfer of ownership.

Real Estate Cost of Sales

Real Estate Cost of Sales-- Costs of real estate transactions include direct project costs, common cost allocations (primarily determined on relative sales value) and may include accrued liabilities for costs to be incurred subsequent to the sales transaction. The Company utilizes the relative sales value method to determine cost of sales for condominium units sold within a project, when specific identification of costs cannot be reasonably determined.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred Revenue-- In addition to deferring certain revenue related to private club initiation fees, the Company records deferred revenue related to the sale of season ski passes. The number of season pass holder visits is estimated based on historical data and the deferred revenue is recognized throughout the ski season based on this estimate, or on a straight-line basis if usage patterns cannot be determined based on available historical data.

Reserve Estimates

Reserve Estimates-- The Company uses estimates to record reserves for certain liabilities, including medical claims, workers’ compensation claims, third-party loss contingencies, property taxes and loyalty reward programs among other items. The Company estimates the probable costs related to these liabilities that will be incurred and records that amount as a liability in its consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the Company records, as applicable, receivables related to insurance recoveries for loss contingencies if deemed probable of recovery. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted as the facts and circumstances change. The Company records legal costs related to defending claims as incurred.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs-- Advertising costs are expensed at the time such advertising commences. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $25.7 million, $25.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs as of July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively and are reported within “other current assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes-- The Company’s provision for income taxes is based on current pre-tax income, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in estimates with regard to some uncertain tax positions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The change in deferred tax assets and liabilities for the period measures the deferred tax provision or benefit for the period. Effects of changes in enacted tax laws on deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected as adjustments to the tax provision or benefit in the period of enactment. The Company’s deferred tax assets have been reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent it is deemed to be more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the largest tax benefit that is cumulatively greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement (see Note 10, Income Taxes, for more information).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-- The recorded amounts for cash and cash equivalents, 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 (as defined in 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 Company’s Industrial Development Bonds and other long-term debt (Note 4, 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 value of the 6.50% Notes, Industrial Development Bonds and other long-term debt as of July 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below (in thousands):

	July 31, 2014				July 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
6.50% Notes	$	215,000	$	223,600	$	390,000	$	409,500
Industrial Development Bonds	$	41,200	$	48,003	$	41,200	$	47,512
Other long-term debt	$	5,163	$	5,758	$	5,383	$	5,852

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation-- Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based upon the fair value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest and is recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the award generally using the straight-line method (see Note 16, Stock Compensation Plan for more information). The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense for the years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

	Year Ended July 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Mountain stock-based compensation expense	$	10,292	$	9,007	$	7,614
Lodging stock-based compensation expense	2,203		1,917		1,744
Real estate stock-based compensation expense	1,729		1,425		2,641
Pre-tax stock-based compensation expense	14,224		12,349		11,999
Less: benefit from income taxes	5,435		4,709		4,567
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	8,789	$	7,640	$	7,432

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk-- The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in high quality credit institutions, but these investments may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculative purposes. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade and notes receivables is limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which the Company transacts business, as well as their dispersion across many geographical areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral, but does require advance deposits on certain transactions.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates-- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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.

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards-- In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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.