v3.26.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2026
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Investments in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest, but has significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment
Reclassifications — During fiscal 2026, the Company disaggregated cash outflows for lease liabilities disclosed as supplemental cash flow information (see Note 4, Leases). Prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation. The reclassification had no impact on previously reported consolidated revenues, operating income, net income, earnings per share, cash flows, or stockholders' equity.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable — The Company records trade accounts receivable in the normal course of business related to the sale of products or services. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a specific reserve analysis and on a percentage of accounts receivable and takes into consideration such factors as historical write-offs, the economic climate and other factors that could affect collectability. Write-offs are evaluated on a case by case basis.
Inventories
Inventories — The Company’s inventories consist primarily of purchased retail goods, food and beverage items and spare parts. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, determined using primarily an average weighted cost method. The Company records a reserve for estimated shrinkage and obsolete or unusable inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation and impairments, if any. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that improve the functionality of the related asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property, plant and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related gain or loss is included in income from operations. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method, including property, plant and equipment under finance leases, generally based on the following useful lives:
  
Estimated Life
in Years
Land improvements
15-20
Buildings and building improvements
5-30
Machinery and equipment
2-30
Furniture and fixtures
2-10
Software
3
Vehicles
3-5
Real Estate Held for Sale and Investment Real Estate Held for Sale or Investment — The Company capitalizes as real estate held for sale or investment the original land acquisition cost, direct construction and development costs, property taxes, interest paid and other related costs related to real estate under development. Sales and marketing expenses are charged against income in the period incurred.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred Financing Costs — Certain costs incurred with the issuance of debt and debt securities are capitalized and included as a reduction in the net carrying value of long-term debt, net of accumulated amortization, with the exception of costs incurred related to line-of-credit arrangements, which are included in deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization of such deferred financing costs are recorded to interest expense, net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations over the respective term of the applicable debt instruments. When debt is extinguished prior to its maturity date, the amortization of the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs, or pro-rata portion thereof, is charged to loss on extinguishment of debt.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets — The Company has classified as goodwill the cost in excess of estimated fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired in purchase transactions. The Company’s major intangible asset classes are trademarks, water rights, customer lists, property management contracts and Forest Service permits. Goodwill and various indefinite-lived
intangible assets, including certain trademarks, water rights and certain property management contracts, are not amortized but are subject to at least annual impairment testing. The Company tests these non-amortizing assets annually (or more often, if necessary) for impairment as of May 1.
For the testing of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company may perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the carrying amount, which includes an evaluation as to whether there have been significant changes to macro-economic factors related to the reporting unit or intangible asset that could materially impact fair value. If it is determined, based on qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is more likely than not less than the net carrying amount, or if significant changes to macro-economic factors related to the reporting unit or intangible asset have occurred that could materially impact estimated fair values since the previous quantitative analysis was performed, a quantitative impairment test would be required, in which the Company would estimate the fair value of the reporting units or indefinite-lived intangible asset for comparison to their respective net carrying amount. If the net carrying amount of an indefinite-lived assets exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. If the net carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill of that reporting unit. No impairment loss is recognized if the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the net carrying amount. The Company determined that there were no impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived assets for the years ended July 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the shorter of their contractual terms or estimated useful lives and evaluated for impairment together with the Company’s other Long-Lived Assets (discussed below) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount of an asset group may not be fully recoverable.
Long-lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets — The Company evaluates potential impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount of an asset group may not be fully recoverable. If the sum of the expected cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, is less than the net carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount by which the net carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company determined that there were no impairments of long-lived assets for the years ended July 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
The following provides information about the Company’s composition of revenue recognized from contracts with customers and other revenues, the performance obligations under those contracts, and the significant judgments made in accounting for those contracts:
•Mountain revenue is derived from a wide variety of sources, including, among other things: lift revenue, which includes sales of lift tickets and pass products; ski school revenue, which includes the revenue derived from ski school operations; dining revenue, which includes both casual and fine dining on-mountain operations; retail sales and equipment rentals; and other on-mountain revenue, which includes private ski club revenue (which includes both club dues and amortization of initiation fees), marketing revenue, municipal services and lodging and transportation operations at the Company’s Australian ski areas. The Company also includes other sources of revenue, primarily related to commercial leasing and employee housing leasing arrangements, within other mountain revenue. Revenue is recognized over time as performance obligations are satisfied as control of the good or service (e.g., access to ski areas, provision of ski school services, etc.) is transferred to the customer, except for the Company’s retail sales and dining operations revenues which are recognized at a point in time when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the underlying goods to the customer. The Company records deferred revenue primarily related to the sale of pass products. Deferred revenue is generally recognized throughout the ski season as the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied as control of the service (e.g., access to ski areas throughout the ski season) is transferred to the customer. The Company estimates progress towards satisfaction of its performance obligations using an output method that best depicts the transfer of control of the service to its customers, which is based on the number of skiable days in the ski season relative to the estimated total skiable days in the ski season, and which effectively results in revenue being recorded on a straight-line basis throughout the ski season. Total estimated skiable days is based on actual resort opening and estimated closing dates. The Company believes this method best estimates the value transferred to the customer relative to the remaining services promised under the contract.
Epic Coverage is included with the purchase of all pass products for no additional charge and offers refunds if certain personal or resort closure events occur before or during the ski season. The estimated amount of refunds reduces the amount of pass product revenue recognized by the Company and is remeasured at each reporting date.
Epic Mountain Rewards provides pass product holders a discount on ancillary purchases at the Company’s North American owned and operated Resorts. Epic Mountain Rewards constitutes an option to purchase additional products and services at a discount, and as a result, the Company allocates a portion of the pass product transaction price to these other lines of business which is recorded as revenue as discounts occur.
•Lodging revenue is derived from a wide variety of sources, including, among other things: revenue from owned hotel rooms and managed hotel rooms; revenue from hotel dining operations; transportation revenue which relates to the Company’s Colorado resort ground transportation operations; and other lodging revenue which includes property management services, managed properties other costs reimbursements, private golf club revenue (which includes both club dues and amortization of initiation fees) and golf course fees. Lodging revenue also includes managed hotel property payroll cost reimbursements related to payroll costs at managed properties where the Company is the employer, which are reimbursed by the owner with no added margin. Therefore, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no net effect on the Company’s operating income or net income. Other than revenue from dining operations, lodging revenue is mostly recognized over time as performance obligations are satisfied as control of the service (e.g., nightly hotel room access) is transferred to the customer.
•Real estate revenue primarily relates to the sale of development land parcels. Real estate revenue is generally recognized at a point in time when performance obligations have been satisfied, which is usually upon closing of the sales transaction and in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled.
For certain contracts that have an original term length of one year or less, the Company uses the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and does not consider the time value of money. For contracts with an expected term in excess of one year, the Company has considered whether such contracts may contain a financing component. Based on this assessment, the Company has concluded that its contracts do not contain significant financing components, as the timing of payments is not intended to provide financing to either the customer or the Company. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are generally excluded from revenue on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Real Estate Cost of Sales Real Estate Cost of Sales — Costs of real estate transactions include direct project costs, common cost allocations (primarily determined on relative sales value) and sales commission expense. The Company utilizes the relative sales value method to determine cost of sales for condominium units sold within a project when specific identification of costs cannot be reasonably determined.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy
Foreign Currency Translation — The functional currency of the Company’s entities operating outside of the United States is the principal currency of the economic environment in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash, which is generally the local currency. The assets and liabilities of these foreign operations are translated at the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Translation adjustments from currency exchange, including intercompany transactions of a long-term nature, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Intercompany transactions that are not of a long-term nature are reported as gains and losses within “segment operating expense” and for intercompany loans within “foreign currency gain (loss) on intercompany loans” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Reserve Estimates
Reserve Estimates — The Company uses estimates to record reserves for certain liabilities, including medical claims, workers’ compensation claims, third-party loss contingencies and property taxes, among other items. The Company estimates the probable costs related to these liabilities that will be incurred and records that amount as a liability in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, the Company records, as applicable, receivables related to insurance recoveries for loss contingencies if deemed probable of recovery. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted as the facts and circumstances change. The Company records legal costs related to defending claims as they are incurred.
Advertising Costs Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024 was $68.1 million, $48.0 million and $49.8 million, respectively, and was recorded within Mountain and Lodging operating expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes — Income tax expense includes U.S. (federal and state) and foreign income taxes. The Company’s provision for income taxes is based on pre-tax income, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in estimates with regard to uncertain tax positions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and for operating loss and tax credit carrybacks or carryforwards. The change in deferred tax assets and liabilities for the period measures the deferred tax provision or benefit for the period. Effects of changes in enacted tax laws on deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected as adjustments to the tax provision or benefit in the period of enactment. The Company’s deferred tax assets have been reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent it is deemed to be more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the largest tax benefit that is cumulatively greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties accrued in connection with uncertain tax positions are recognized as a component of income tax expense. See Note 10, Income Taxes, for more information.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The estimated fair values of the 6.50% Notes and 5.625% Notes (as defined in Note 6, Long-Term Debt) are based on quoted market prices (a Level 2 input). The fair value of the NRP Loan (as defined in Note 6, Long-Term Debt) has been estimated using current borrowing rates for comparable debt instruments with similar maturity dates (a Level 2 input). The fair value of the EPR Secured Notes (as defined in Note 6, Long-Term Debt) has been estimated using current borrowing rates for comparable debt instruments with similar maturity dates (a Level 2 input) and future revenue projections (a Level 3 input). The carrying values, including any unamortized premium or discount and issuance costs, and estimated fair values of the 6.50% Notes, 5.625% Notes, EPR Secured Notes and NRP Loan as of July 31, 2026 are presented below (in thousands):
July 31, 2026
Carrying ValueEstimated Fair Value
6.50% Notes$595,034 $607,998 
5.625% Notes$495,079 $499,010 
EPR Secured Notes$141,283 $164,553 
NRP Loan$25,593 $27,452 
The carrying values for all other financial instruments not included in the above table approximate their respective fair value due to their short-term nature or the variable nature of their associated interest rates.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation — Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based upon the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the award generally using the straight-line method (see Note 14, Stock Compensation Plan, for more information). Forfeitures are recorded as they occur. The following table shows total net stock-based compensation expense for the years ended July 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024 included on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands): 
Year Ended July 31,
  
202620252024
Mountain stock-based compensation expense$24,629 $29,632 $23,234 
Lodging stock-based compensation expense3,296 4,004 3,349 
Real Estate stock-based compensation expense239 326 220 
Pre-tax stock-based compensation expense28,164 33,962 26,803 
Less: benefit from income taxes6,796 8,034 6,157 
Net stock-based compensation expense$21,368 $25,928 $20,646 
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk — The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments. The Company places its cash and cash investments in accounts with high-quality credit institutions. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts and notes receivables is limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which the Company conducts business, as well as their dispersion across many geographical areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral, but does require advance deposits on certain transactions.
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure
Accounting for Hedging Instruments — From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with variable-rate borrowings by converting the floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate (the “Interest Rate Swaps”). The Company previously hedged the future cash flows associated with $400.0 million of the principal amount outstanding of its Vail Holdings Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 6, Long-Term Debt), which were designated as cash flow hedges. These interest rate swaps expired on September 23, 2024 and no interest rate swaps have been entered into since that date. The accounting for changes in fair value of hedging instruments depends on the effectiveness of the hedge. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, the underlying hedged item must expose the Company to risks associated with market fluctuations and the financial instrument used must reduce the Company’s exposure to market fluctuation throughout the hedge period. Changes in estimated fair value of the Interest Rate Swaps are recorded within change in estimated fair value of hedging instruments, net of tax, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, and such changes were recorded as a loss of $1.8 million and $11.1 million during the years ended July 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Amounts were reclassified into interest expense, net from other comprehensive income during the period in which the hedged item affected earnings. During the year ended July 31, 2024, a gain of $16.1 million was reclassified into interest expense, net from other comprehensive income. See Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, for more information.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]
Leases — The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception or modification of the arrangement. An arrangement is or contains a lease if there is one or more assets identified and the right to control the use of any identified asset is conveyed to the Company for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control over the use of an identified asset means the lessee has both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. Generally, the Company classifies a lease as a finance lease if the terms of the agreement effectively transfer control of the underlying asset; otherwise, it is classified as an operating lease. For contracts that contain lease and non-lease components, the Company accounts for these components separately. The Company allocates consideration between lease and non-lease components based on their relative standalone prices, which are estimated when observable prices are not readily available. For leases with terms greater than twelve months, the associated lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the estimated present value of future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses an estimated incremental borrowing rate to discount the future minimum lease payments. For leases containing fixed rental escalation clauses, the escalators are factored into the determination of future minimum lease payments. The Company includes options to extend a lease when it is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 4, Leases, for more information.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
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 periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Standards Being Evaluated
New Accounting Standards
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Standards Being Evaluated
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses,” which will expand the disclosures regarding a public entity’s expenses by providing disaggregation of certain costs and expenses. The ASU primarily requires that, for each interim and annual reporting period, an entity disclose the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization, as well as other certain qualitative disclosures regarding costs and expenses. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2028), and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect that the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements, including determining the timing of adoption.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40).” The amendments in this update remove all references to prescriptive and sequential software development stages (referred to as “project stages”) throughout Subtopic 350-40. Therefore, an entity will start capitalizing software costs when management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and it is probable that the project will be completed and that the software will be used to perform the function intended. This ASU allows for prospective, modified or retrospective transition. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2029) and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process
of evaluating the effect that the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements, including determining the timing and method of adoption.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, “Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities.” The amendments in this update establish authoritative guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of government grants. Under ASU 2025-10, government grants are recognized when it is probable that the entity will both comply with the conditions of the grant and the grant will be received. The ASU provides specific accounting models for grants related to assets and grants related to income, including options to recognize government grants as deferred income or as a reduction of the asset’s cost basis. The ASU also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature of government grants, significant terms and conditions, accounting policies applied, and amounts recognized in the financial statements. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2028 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2030) and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect that the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements, including determining the timing of adoption.
In May 2026, the FASB issued ASU 2026-02, “Environmental Credits and Environmental Credit Obligations (Topic 818)” to improve financial reporting for and disclosure of environmental credits and environmental credit obligations. Current generally accepted accounting principles do not provide specific authoritative guidance on how to recognize and measure environmental credits or the related obligations. The ASU establishes recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements for entities that generate, purchase, or receive environmental credits or have regulatory compliance obligations that may be settled with such credits. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027 (the Company’s fiscal year ending July 31, 2029), and interim periods within those fiscal periods, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in the ASU must be applied retrospectively. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect that the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements, including determining the timing of adoption.
Recently Adopted Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which includes amendments that further enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The Company adopted the standard on a prospective basis for the year ended July 31, 2026. Refer to Note 10, Income Taxes.