Stock Compensation Plan (Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Awards, outstanding beginning balance	371
Awards, granted	201
Awards, vested	(143)
Awards, forfeited	(21)
Awards, outstanding ending balance	408
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, outstanding beginning balance	$ 30.07
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, granted	$ 37.03
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, vested	$ 41.22
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, forfeited	$ 27.86
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, outstanding ending balance	$ 33.47

The number of restricted stock units vested during the period.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of restricted share units, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

+ Details

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of the grant date of restricted share units that were not exercised or put into effect during the reporting period as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event specified in the contractual agreement of the plan.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mtn
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net number of restricted share units granted during the period.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested restricted share units, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested restricted share units for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments to an employee who has not yet satisfied service criteria necessary to gain title to underlying shares or units.

+ Details

Name:	mtn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementRestrictedStockUnitsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to restricted share units for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service requirements, to receive shares or units in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested restricted share units issued during the period.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mtn
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration