Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stock repurchase plan, authorized amount	$ 500,000,000
Aggregate shares repurchased under stock repurchase plan	9,593,278
Stock repurchased to date, value	$ 441,443,000

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased to date and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

No definition available.

Name:	colm_StockRepurchasedToDateValue
Namespace Prefix:	colm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration