Page 1 of 11 Pages

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. 17)*

                               VAIL RESORTS, INC.
              -----------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                  COMMON STOCK
              -----------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    91879Q109
              -----------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                     Linda S. Martinson, Esq. (212) 583-2000
                767 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10153
              -----------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                December 5, 2003
              -----------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the  acquisition  which is the subject of this  Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

Check the following  box if a fee is being paid with this  statement [ ]. (A fee
is not required only if the filing person:  (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting  beneficial  ownership  of more  than  five  percent  of the  class of
securities  described  in Item 1;  and (2) has  filed  no  amendment  subsequent
thereto reporting  beneficial  ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)

*The  remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting  person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for  any  subsequent   amendment   containing   information  which  would  alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).


                                                    SEC 1746 (12-91)


                             Amendment Number 17 to Schedule 13D (continued)

CUSIP No. 91879Q109                                Page 2 of 11 Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       Baron Capital Group, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                             (a)  [ ]
                                                             (b)  [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS
       OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS

       2(C) OR 2(E)    [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF      7    SOLE VOTING POWER
     SHARES                     0
  BENEFICIALLY    ------------------------------------------------------------
    OWNED BY      8    SHARED VOTING POWER
      EACH             6,907,650
   REPORTING      ------------------------------------------------------------
     PERSON       9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      WITH                      0
                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                  10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                       6,964,250
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       6,964,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
       25.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
       HC, CO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT


                       Amendment Number 17 to Schedule 13D (continued)

CUSIP No. 91879Q109                       Page 3 of 11 Pages
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       BAMCO, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                             (a)  [ ]
                                                             (b)  [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS
       OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS

       2(C) OR 2(E)    [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF      7    SOLE VOTING POWER
     SHARES                     0
  BENEFICIALLY   -------------------------------------------------------------
    OWNED BY      8    SHARED VOTING POWER
      EACH             6,525,000
   REPORTING     -------------------------------------------------------------
     PERSON       9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      WITH                      0
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                  10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                       6,570,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       6,570,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
       23.6%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
       IA, CO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT


                      Amendment Number 17 to Schedule 13D (continued)

CUSIP No. 91879Q109                        Page 4 of 11 Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       Baron Capital Management, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                             (a)  [ ]
                                                             (b)  [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS
       OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS

       2(C) OR 2(E)    [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF      7    SOLE VOTING POWER
     SHARES                    0
  BENEFICIALLY   -------------------------------------------------------------
    OWNED BY      8    SHARED VOTING POWER
      EACH               382,650
   REPORTING     -------------------------------------------------------------
     PERSON       9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      WITH                     0
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                  10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                         394,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       394,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
       1.4%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
       IA, CO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT


                          Amendment Number 17 to Schedule 13D (continued)

CUSIP No. 91879Q109                       Page 5 of 11 Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       Baron Asset Fund
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                             (a)  [ ]
                                                             (b)  [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS
       OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS

       2(C) OR 2(E)    [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF      7    SOLE VOTING POWER
     SHARES                    0
  BENEFICIALLY   -------------------------------------------------------------
    OWNED BY      8    SHARED VOTING POWER
      EACH             5,115,000
   REPORTING     -------------------------------------------------------------
     PERSON       9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      WITH                     0
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                  10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                       5,115,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

       5,115,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

       18.4%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

       IV, OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT


                     Amendment Number 17 to Schedule 13D (continued)

CUSIP No. 91879Q109                   Page 6 of 11 Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

       Ronald Baron
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                             (a)  [  ]
                                                             (b)  [  ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3   SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4   SOURCE OF FUNDS
       OO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
       ITEMS

       2(C) OR 2(E)    [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

       USA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF      7    SOLE VOTING POWER
     SHARES                     0
  BENEFICIALLY   -------------------------------------------------------------
    OWNED BY      8    SHARED VOTING POWER
      EACH             6,907,650
   REPORTING     -------------------------------------------------------------
     PERSON       9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      WITH                      0
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                  10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                       6,964,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       6,964,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
       25.0%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

       IN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT



                                             Page 7 of 11 Pages

Item 1.   Security and Issuer
          (a)  Name of Issuer:
                 Vail Resorts, Inc.
          (b)  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
                 P.O. Box 7
                 Vail, CO  81658
          (c)  Title and Class of Securities:
                 Common

Item 2.   Identity and Background
          (a)  Name:
                 Baron Capital Group, Inc. ("BCG")
                 BAMCO, Inc. ("BAMCO")
                 Baron Capital Management, Inc. ("BCM")
                 Baron Asset Fund ("BAF")
                 Ronald Baron
          (b)  Business Address:
                 767 Fifth Avenue
                 New York, NY 10153
          (c)  Present Principal Business or Employment:
                 BCG:          Holding company
                 BAMCO:        Investment adviser
                 BCM:          Investment adviser
                 BAF:          Registered investment company
                 Ronald Baron: CEO: BCG, BAMCO, BCM; BAF
                    767 Fifth Avenue
                    New York, NY 10153
          (d)  Record of Convictions:
                 No material change.
          (e)  Record of Civil Proceedings:
                 No material change.
          (f)  Citizenship:
                 No material change.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
        No material change.





                                                   Page 8 of 11 Pages

  Item 4.  Purpose of Transaction
            No material change.

  Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer
           (a) Amount and percentage beneficially owned*:
               BCG:              6,964,250         25.0%
               BAMCO:            6,570,000         23.6%
               BCM:                394,250          1.4%
               BAF:              5,115,000         18.4%
               Ronald Baron:     6,964,250         25.0%

           (b) Number of shares as to which such person has:
               (i)   sole power to vote or direct the vote:
                     BCG:                     0
                     BAMCO:                   0
                     BCM:                     0
                     BAF:                     0
                     Ronald Baron:            0
               (ii)  shared power to vote or direct the vote:
                     BCG:             6,907,650
                     BAMCO:           6,525,000
                     BCM:               382,650
                     BAF:             5,115,000
                     Ronald Baron:    6,907,650
              (iii)  sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition:
                     BCG:                     0
                     BAMCO:                   0
                     BCM:                     0
                     BAF:                     0
                     Ronald Baron:            0
               (iv)  shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
                     BCG:             6,964,250
                     BAMCO:           6,570,000
                     BCM:               394,250
                     BAF:             5,115,000
                     Ronald Baron:    6,964,250

                     *Reporting Persons may be deemed to share power to vote
                     and dispose of shares referred to herein as a result of
                     control relationships (BCG and Ronald Baron with respect
                     to all of the shares; BAMCO with respect to the BAF
                     shares) and pursuant to investment advisory relationships
                     with advisory clients.  Reporting Persons disclaim
                     beneficial ownership of the shares for which they share
                     power.

           (c) A schedule of transactions effected in the last fifteen
               days is attached hereto.


                                              Page 9 of 11 Pages


           (d) Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another
               Person:
               No material change.
           (e) Ownership of Less than Five Percent:
               Not applicable.

Item 6.   Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with
          Respect to Securities of the Issuer
          No material change.

Item 7.    Material to be Filed as Exhibits
           Exhibit 99 - 15 days of trading.

 Signature

       After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
  certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete
  and  correct.

  Date:     December 15, 2003

                                Baron Capital Group, Inc.,
                                BAMCO, Inc., Baron Capital Management, Inc.
                                and Baron Asset Fund
                                By:


                                /s/ Ronald Baron
                                _______________________________________
                                    Ronald Baron, Chairman and CEO