Columbia Sportswear Company Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares authorized	8,900,000
Shares available for future grants	1,344,342
Tax benefit for the deduction from stock-based award transactions	$ 4,702,000	$ 1,909,000	$ 851,000
Stock-based compensation expense	7,870,000	6,730,000	6,353,000
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	4,320,000	3,382,000	3,492,000
Unrecognized costs related to share based compensation	8,806,000
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized costs related to stock options, years	2.34
Company withheld shares	48,059	18,721	19,819
Company withheld shares, tax obligations	2,974,000	853,000	624,000
Grant date fair value of vested units	5,586,000	2,681,000	3,522,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,550,000	3,348,000	2,861,000
Unrecognized costs related to share based compensation	6,018,000
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized costs related to stock options, years	2.33
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	4,906,000	2,854,000	333,000
Cash received on exercises of stock option	$ 10,991,000	$ 7,333,000	$ 710,000
After 2000 And Before 2009 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	four
Expiration period, years	10
During 2005 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	one
Expiration period, years	10
After 2008 [Member] \| Service-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	four
After 2008 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	four
Expiration period, years	10
Prior To 2009 [Member] \| Service-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	three
After 2009 [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	three
Prior To 2010 [Member] \| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Additional requisite service period, years	one
Prior To 2010 [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	two and one-half
Prior To 2010 [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	three