Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measures (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Fair Value Measures (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value $ 274,888us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure $ 232,634us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure $ 411,761us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Total liabilities measured at fair value 123us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure 924us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure 1,050us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 153,844us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		145,823us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		315,862us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Total liabilities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 121,044us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		86,811us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		95,899us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Total liabilities measured at fair value 123us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		924us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		1,050us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Total liabilities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value 123us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		924us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		1,017us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value 123us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		924us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		1,017us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember 		0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value     33us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= colm_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value     0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= colm_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value     33us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= colm_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total liabilities measured at fair value     0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis
= colm_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 101,241us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		94,112us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		269,786us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 101,241us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		94,112us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		269,786us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Time Deposits [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 45,221us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		45,187us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		39,217us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Time Deposits [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 45,221us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		45,187us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		25,129us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Time Deposits [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		  14,088us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Time Deposits [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 2,205us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		1,470us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 2,205us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		1,470us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 50,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		40,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		55,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 50,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		40,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		55,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Cash Equivalents [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 480us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		5,812us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 480us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		5,812us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		 
Cash Equivalents [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		 
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 13,453us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1] 3,184us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1] 9,795us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 13,453us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1] 3,184us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1] 9,795us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 39,119us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1] 23,598us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1] 14,185us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 39,119us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1] 23,598us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1] 14,185us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US Government Backed Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_USGovernmentBackedMunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1] 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value     15,028us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember 		[1]
Available-For-Sale Short-Term Investments [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value     15,028us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		[1]
Short-term Investments [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 366us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember 		485us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember 		529us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term Investments [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 366us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		485us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		529us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Short-term Investments [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Short-term Investments [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Other Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 15,787us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember 		12,747us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember 		2,703us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
Other Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Other Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 15,787us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		12,747us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member 		2,703us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Other Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member 		0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Non Current Assets [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 7,016us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_EligibleItemOrGroupForFairValueOptionAxis
= colm_MutualFundSharesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= colm_NonCurrentAssetsMember 		6,039us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
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Non Current Assets [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 1 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 7,016us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
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Non Current Assets [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
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Non Current Assets [Member] | Mutual Fund Shares [Member] | Level 3 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
Total assets measured at fair value 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
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Non Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
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Non Current Assets [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]      
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[1] (1) Investments have remaining maturities of less than one year.