| **Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Components Of Other Long-Term Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | Apr. 30, 2013 | Jul. 31, 2012 | Apr. 30, 2012 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]**                                                                                                  |          |          |          |
| Private club deferred initiation fee revenue                                                                                                      | $ 133,578     | $ 135,660     | $ 136,740     |
| Unfavorable lease obligation, net                                                                                                                 | 34,055        | 36,058        | 36,726        |
| Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                                       | 58,512        | 61,151        | 60,457        |
| Total other long-term liabilities                                                                                                                 | $ 226,145     | $ 232,869     | $ 233,923     |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of noncurrent obligations which are expected to be settled after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Includes deferred revenue, unfavorable lease obligations and other long-term accrued liabilities.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**mtn_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesNoncurrent**Namespace Prefix:**mtn_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of prepayments by customers for private club initiation fees and deposits for services to be provided at a later date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**mtn_PrivateClubDeferredInitiationFeesAndDeposits**Namespace Prefix:**mtn_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unfavorable lease obligations.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**mtn_UnfavorableLeaseObligationNet**Namespace Prefix:**mtn_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BalanceSheetRelatedDisclosuresAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |