Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	May 29, 2013	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		$ 71,900
Surety Bonds Outstanding		$ 10,400
Number of optional renewal terms		3
Lease expense, excluding executory costs		$ 57,800	$ 52,800	$ 51,900
Long-term Debt		$ 1,580,130	1,276,082
Canyons Obligation, Interest Rate		10.00%
Holland Creek Metropolitan District [Member]
Credit-enhanced bonds issued amount		$ 6,300
Amount outstanding in letters of credit		6,400
Red Sky Ranch Metropolitan District [Member]
Other long-term liabilities		$ 2,000	2,000
Estimated cessation date of capital improvement fee payment obligation		Jul. 31, 2031
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		$ 18,500
Northstar [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 19, 2027
Optional Lease Renewal Term		P10Y
Perisher [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 01, 2048
Optional Lease Renewal Term		P20Y
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals		of certain gross revenue
Canyons [Member]
Lease Expiration Date		Jan. 01, 2079
Optional Lease Renewal Term	six 50-year renewal options
Canyons Obligation [Member]
Long-term Debt		$ 340,261	$ 334,509