Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Mountain revenue	$ 46,414	$ 354,586	$ 315,938	$ 49,670	$ 41,717	$ 351,418	$ 318,277	$ 40,779	$ 766,608	$ 752,191	$ 638,495
Lodging revenue	54,751	53,972	48,306	53,594	54,388	57,477	51,676	51,117	210,623	214,658	195,301
Real estate revenue	12,379	12,587	9,088	13,109	12,568	13,221	25,147	149,261	47,163	200,197	61,007
Total net revenue	113,544	421,145	373,332	116,373	108,673	422,116	395,100	241,157	1,024,394	1,167,046	894,803
Income (loss) from operations	(80,919)	140,406	84,218	(84,374)	(77,828)	139,495	97,061	(64,256)	59,331	94,472	69,309
Net income (loss)	(53,824)	79,528	46,421	(55,734)	(53,915)	76,840	54,557	(43,060)	16,391	34,422	35,775
Net income (loss) attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc.	$ (53,796)	$ 79,569	$ 46,389	$ (55,709)	$ (53,906)	$ 76,867	$ 54,551	$ (43,023)	$ 16,453	$ 34,489	$ 30,385
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.50)	$ 2.21	$ 1.29	$ (1.54)	$ (1.49)	$ 2.13	$ 1.52	$ (1.20)	$ 0.46	$ 0.96	$ 0.84
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.50)	$ 2.17	$ 1.27	$ (1.54)	$ (1.49)	$ 2.08	$ 1.48	$ (1.20)	$ 0.45	$ 0.94	$ 0.83