Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Vail Resorts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Jul. 31, 2008	$ 399	$ 545,773	$ 295,925	$ (125,461)	$ 716,636	$ 8,848	$ 725,484
Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2008	39,926,496
Net income (loss)			48,950		48,950	1,602	50,552
Stock-based compensation (Note 17)		10,741			10,741		10,741
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17)	1	(550)			(549)		(549)
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17), Shares	123,492
Tax expense (benefit) from share award plan		(236)			(236)		(236)
Repurchases of common stock (Note 16)				(22,367)	(22,367)		(22,367)
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 10)			12,120		12,120	5,652	17,772
Noncontrolling interest contributions (distributions), net						(691)	(691)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2009	400	555,728	356,995	(147,828)	765,295	15,411	780,706
Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2009	40,049,988
Net income (loss)			30,385		30,385	5,390	35,775
Stock-based compensation (Note 17)		11,843			11,843		11,843
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17)	1	(1,139)			(1,138)		(1,138)
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17), Shares	123,903
Tax expense (benefit) from share award plan		(40)			(40)		(40)
Repurchases of common stock (Note 16)				(14,999)	(14,999)		(14,999)
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 10)						(10,338)	(10,338)
Noncontrolling interest contributions (distributions), net						3,268	3,268
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes (Note 10)		(2,576)			(2,576)	(114)	(2,690)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2010	401	563,816	387,380	(162,827)	788,770	13,617	802,387
Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2010	40,173,891
Net income (loss)			34,489		34,489	(67)	34,422
Stock-based compensation (Note 17)		12,493			12,493		12,493
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17)	2	(681)			(679)		(679)
Issuance of shares under share award plan net of shares withheld for taxes (Note 17), Shares	161,082
Tax expense (benefit) from share award plan		61			61		61
Dividends			(5,411)		(5,411)		(5,411)
Noncontrolling interest contributions (distributions), net						446	446
Balance at Jul. 31, 2011	$ 403	$ 575,689	$ 416,458	$ (162,827)	$ 829,723	$ 13,996	$ 843,719
Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2011	40,334,973