Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements— In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2011. Certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies, normally included in fiscal year financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted. The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2011 was derived from audited financial statements.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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.

Revision Of Payroll Cost Reimbursement From Managed Hotel Properties

Revision of Payroll Cost Reimbursement from Managed Hotel Properties— Revenue from reimbursement of payroll costs 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. The Company previously reported prior to its fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, payroll cost reimbursement from managed hotel properties net of reimbursed payroll costs; however, as the Company is the employer at certain managed hotel properties, and thus the primary obligor, these amounts should be reported gross within the Lodging segment. The Company determined that the impact of these revisions was not material to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all applicable prior interim and annual periods. For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2012, revenue and expenses relating to reimbursed payroll costs were $5.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2011, the Company revised its presentation of these reimbursed payroll costs from a net presentation to a gross presentation in its Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations to conform to its current presentation. The effect of this change increased Lodging net revenue (as previously reported in the prior year's Form 10-Q) for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2011 from $49.8 million and $138.9 million, respectively to $57.5 million and $160.3 million, respectively, with a corresponding increase in the Lodging operating expense (as previously reported in the prior year's Form 10-Q) for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2011 from $41.0 million and $127.7 million, respectively to $48.6 million and $149.0 million, respectively. Additionally, previously reported quarterly financial data for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2011 as presented in Note 10, Segment Information and Note 12, Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries have been revised to reflect these revisions.

Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Financial Statements

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements— Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests along with net income (loss) attributable to the stockholders of the Company are reported separately in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations. Additionally, noncontrolling interests in the consolidated subsidiaries of the Company are reported as a separate component of equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet, apart from the Company's equity. The following table summarizes the changes in total stockholders' equity (in thousands):

	For the Nine Months Ended April 30,
	2012									2011
	Vail Resorts Stockholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity			Vail Resorts Stockholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Balance, beginning of period	$	829,723		$	13,996		$	843,719		$	788,770		$	13,617		$	802,387
Net income (loss)		70,250			(34	)		70,216			88,395			(58	)		88,337
Stock-based compensation expense		9,349			—			9,349			9,338			—			9,338
Issuance of shares under share award plans, net of shares withheld for taxes		(2,661	)		—			(2,661	)		(656	)		—			(656	)
Tax benefit from share award plans		1,442			—			1,442			62			—			62
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(17,559	)		—			(17,559	)		—			—			—
Repurchases of common stock		(7,869	)		—			(7,869	)		—			—			—
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net		—			30			30			—			393			393
Foreign currency translation adjustments		61			—			61			—			—			—
Balance, end of period	$	882,736		$	13,992		$	896,728		$	885,909		$	13,952		$	899,861

Fair Value Instruments

Fair Value Instruments— The recorded amounts for cash and cash equivalents, trade 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 (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) is based on quoted market prices (a Level 1 input). The fair value of the Company's Industrial Development Bonds (Note 4, Long-Term Debt) and other 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 values of the 6.50% Notes, Industrial Development Bonds and other long-term debt as of April 30, 2012 are presented below (in thousands):

	April 30, 2012
	Carrying Value		Fair Value
6.50% Notes	$	390,000	$	408,038
Industrial Development Bonds	$	41,200	$	47,712
Other long-term debt	$	7,101	$	7,378