| **Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | Jan. 31, 2014 | Jul. 31, 2013 | Jan. 31, 2013 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Contingent Consideration, Fair Value Disclosure                                       | $ 9,100       | $ 9,100       |          |
| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]                                                  |          |          |          |
| Contingent Consideration, Fair Value Disclosure                                       | 9,100         | 9,100         |          |
| Money Market [Member]                                                                 |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | 9,023         | 34,029        | 19,025        |
| Money Market [Member] | Level 1 [Member]                                              |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | 9,023         | 34,029        | 19,025        |
| Commercial Paper [Member]                                                             |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | 630           | 630           | 10,626        |
| Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]                                          |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | 630           | 630           | 10,626        |
| Certificates of Deposit [Member]                                                      |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | 630           | 630           | 630           |
| Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]                                   |          |          |          |
| Cash equivalents measured at fair value                                               | $ 630         | $ 630         | $ 630         |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Liability
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**mtn_ContingentConsiderationFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**mtn_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
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| - Definition
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8 -Footnote 2 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 8, 9, 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.
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