Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	May 29, 2013	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Surety Bonds Outstanding		$ 9,300
Contingent rent percentage		11.50%
Number of optional renewal terms		3
Optional Lease Renewal Term		P20Y
Lease expense, excluding executory costs		$ 44,400	$ 39,500	$ 37,300
Long-term Debt		$ 702,320	816,830
Canyons Obligation, Interest Rate		10.00%
Holland Creek Metropolitan District [Member]
Credit-enhanced bonds issued amount		$ 8,000
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		8,100
Red Sky Ranch Metropolitan District [Member]
Other long-term liabilities		$ 2,000	$ 1,800
Estimated cessation date of capital improvement fee payment obligation		Jul. 31, 2031
Various Other [Member]
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		$ 64,200
Employee Housing Bonds [Member]
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		53,400
Workers' Compensation and General Liability Related to Construction and Development Activities [Member]
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		$ 10,800
Maximum [Member]
Annual base rent rate		11.00%
Minimum [Member]
Annual base rent rate		10.25%
Northstar [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 19, 2027
Optional Lease Renewal Term		P10Y
Perisher [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 01, 2048	Jan. 01, 2048
Optional Lease Renewal Term			20-year renewal option
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals		2% of certain gross revenue
Canyons [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 01, 2079
Optional Lease Renewal Term	six 50-year renewal options
Australia, Dollars | Perisher [Member]
Lease expense, excluding executory costs		$ 1,800
Canyons Obligation [Member]
Long-term Debt		$ 323,099	$ 317,455