XML 21 R41.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT  v2.3.0.11
Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType Other
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2010
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0001413032
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate May 04, 2011
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate May 04, 2011
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 29, 2011
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund can invest in any economic sector, and, at times, it may emphasize one or more particular sectors.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occurring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency and the risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Sector Risk. If a fund emphasizes one or more economic sectors or industries, it may be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic conditions or events affecting the particular issuers, sectors or industries in which it invests than funds that do not so emphasize. The more a fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.

Value Securities Risk. Value securities involve the risk that they may never reach what the portfolio managers believe is their full market value either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth or the portfolio managers misgauged that worth. They also may decline in price, even though in theory they are already undervalued. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing growth stocks).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +22.69% (quarter ended June 30, 2003).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -23.96% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.56%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 224
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 390
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 874
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.56%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 303
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 526
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,171
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.56%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.83%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 85
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 265
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 461
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,029
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 2.14%
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (19.03%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 41.16%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.20%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 13.50%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.75%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 8.02%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.47%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 27.46%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 16.83%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.69%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (23.96%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Diversified Equity Income Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.83%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.78%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.03%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund | Russell 1000 Value Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000® Value Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.51%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.28%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.26%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund | Lipper Equity Income Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Equity Income Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.04%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.15%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.86%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – International Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 76% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 76.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities of foreign issuers that are believed to offer strong growth potential. The Fund can invest in securities of companies of any size, including small and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund may invest in developed and in emerging markets. The Fund will normally have exposure to foreign currencies. The portfolio management team closely monitors the Fund’s exposure to foreign currency.

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for oversight of the subadviser, Threadneedle International Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund is designed for investors with an above-average risk tolerance. Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Risks of Foreign/Emerging Markets Investing. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occurring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency and the risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices.

Investments in emerging markets may present greater risk of loss than a typical foreign security investment. Because of the less developed markets and economies and less mature governments and governmental institutions, the risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of investments in issuers organized, domiciled or doing business in emerging markets.

Geographic Concentration Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting companies and countries within the specific geographic region in which the Fund invests. The Fund may be more volatile than a more geographically diversified fund.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Small and Mid-Sized Company Risk. Investments in small and medium size companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies, including less predictable earnings and lack of experienced management, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

•  how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

•  how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +19.41% (quarter ended June 30, 2009).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -21.14% (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2002).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 101
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 316
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 548
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,218
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.24%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 126
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 394
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 682
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,505
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.12%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 114
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 356
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 618
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,368
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (28.69%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (18.25%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 28.07%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 17.41%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 13.86%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 24.17%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 12.68%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.43%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 27.54%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.89%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.41%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2002
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (21.14%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — International Opportunity Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.89%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.90%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.91%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund | MSCI EAFE Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI EAFE Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.21%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.94%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.94%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund | Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.82%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.33%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.06%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 30, 2012
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes contractual commitments to waive fees and reimburse expenses expiring as indicated in the preceding table. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 152% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 152.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000® Growth Index (Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $219.6 million to $316.6 billion as of March 31, 2011. The market capitalization range of the companies in the Index is subject to change. In addition to its primary investments in large-capitalization companies, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in small and mid-capitalization companies. The investment manager chooses common stocks for the Fund through fundamental analysis, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors. Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments. The investment manager may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occuring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency and the risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

Small and Mid-Sized Company Risk. Investments in small and medium size companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies, including less predictable earnings and lack of experienced management, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +18.16% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2001).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -28.79% (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2001).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.13%) [2]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.76% [2]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 78
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 481
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,088
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.14%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.13%) [2]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.01% [2]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 103
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 616
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,379
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.02%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.13%) [2]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.89% [2]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 91
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 312
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,241
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (30.95%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (26.10%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 21.43%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 8.43%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 8.61%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.08%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 3.07%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (44.35%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 37.00%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 17.16%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2001
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 18.16%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2001
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (28.79%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Large Cap Growth Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.16%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.45%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (2.88%)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund | Russell 1000 Growth Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Growth Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.71%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.75%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.02%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund | Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.13%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.38%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (1.01%)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 30, 2012
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes contractual commitments to waive fees and reimburse expenses expiring as indicated in the preceding table. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 80% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 80.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized companies. These equity securities generally include common stocks. Medium-sized companies are those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Value Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $208.9 million to $19.4 billion as of March 31, 2011. The market capitalization range of the companies in the Index is subject to change. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in stocks of smaller or larger companies. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund can invest in any economic sector and, at times, it may emphasize one or more particular sectors.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occurring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency and the risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Small and Mid-Sized Company Risk. Investments in small and medium size companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies, including less predictable earnings and lack of experienced management, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths.

Sector Risk. If a fund emphasizes one or more economic sectors or industries, it may be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic conditions or events affecting the particular issuers, sectors or industries in which it invests than funds that do not so emphasize. The more a fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.

Value Securities Risk. Value securities involve the risk that they may never reach what the portfolio managers believe is their full market value either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth or the portfolio managers misgauged that worth. They also may decline in price, even though in theory they are already undervalued. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing growth stocks).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

•  how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

•  how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

•  how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +23.27% (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -28.69% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.91%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.02%) [3]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.89% [3]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 91
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 288
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 503
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,122
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.16%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.02%) [3]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.14% [3]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 116
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 367
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 637
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,412
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.04%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.02%) [3]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.02% [3]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 104
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 329
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 573
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,274
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 15.32%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 10.35%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (45.10%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 40.93%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 22.51%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 23.27%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (28.69%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.51%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.82%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.46%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 02, 2005
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund | Russell Midcap Value Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell Midcap Value Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.75%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.08%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.02%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 02, 2005
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund | Lipper Mid-Cap Value Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Mid-Cap Value Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.64%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.19%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.99%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 02, 2005
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – S&P 500 Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 22.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return (the combination of appreciation and income) of large-capitalization stocks of U.S. companies. The Fund invests in common stocks included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 or the Index). The S&P 500 is made up primarily of large-capitalization companies that represent a broad spectrum of the U.S. economy. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) of its net assets in securities that are contained in the S&P 500.

The Fund follows a passive or indexing investment approach in an attempt to mirror the performance of the Index. Keep in mind that the Fund has operating expenses and transaction costs, while the Index does not. This means that, while the Fund may track the Index closely, it is typically unable to match the performance of the Index exactly. While there is no guarantee, the investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, expects the correlation between the Fund and the Index to be at least 0.95. A correlation of 1.00 means the return of the Fund can be completely explained by the return of the Index.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Indexing Risk. The Fund is managed to an index and the Fund’s performance therefore is expected to rise and fall as the performance of the index rises and falls.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Tracking Error Risk. The Fund will not track the index perfectly and the Fund may not outperform the index. The tools that the investment manager uses to replicate the index are not perfect and the Fund’s performance may be impacted by the size of the Fund’s portfolio, the effectiveness of sampling techniques, transaction costs, management fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and fees, the extent and timing of cash flows in and out of the Fund and changes in the index.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.

Class 1 and Class 2 are new and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 are new and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +15.79% (quarter ended June 30, 2009).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -21.84% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns(for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24% [4]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other expenses for Class 1 and Class 2 are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 35
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 109
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 191
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 433
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24% [4]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other expenses for Class 1 and Class 2 are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 60
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 189
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 330
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 741
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.47%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 48
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 151
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 264
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 594
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (12.46%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (22.42%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 27.99%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 10.27%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.40%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 15.27%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 5.01%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (37.10%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 26.00%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.71%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 15.79%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (21.84%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — S&P 500 Index Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.71%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.93%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.97%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund | S&P 500 Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.06%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.29%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.41%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund | Lipper S&P 500 Objective Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper S&P 500 Objective Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.70%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.08%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.16%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Select Large-Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 30, 2012
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes contractual commitments to waive fees and reimburse expenses expiring as indicated in the preceding table. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 4.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with a market capitalization greater than $5 billion. The Fund can invest in any economic sector and, at times, it may emphasize one or more particular sectors. In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the investment manager uses a bottom-up stock selection approach. This means that the investment manager concentrates on individual company fundamentals, rather than on a particular industry.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may hold a limited number of securities, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities declines in price.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Sector Risk. If a fund emphasizes one or more economic sectors or industries, it may be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic conditions or events affecting the particular issuers, sectors or industries in which it invests than funds that do not so emphasize. The more a fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.

Value Securities Risk. Value securities involve the risk that they may never reach what the portfolio managers believe is their full market value either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth or the portfolio managers misgauged that worth. They also may decline in price, even though in theory they are already undervalued. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing growth stocks).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +22.65% (quarter ended June 30, 2009).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -20.72% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.33%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.04%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.22%) [5]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.82% [5]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 84
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 309
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 554
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,256
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.33%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.29%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.22%) [5]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07% [5]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 109
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 388
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 688
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,542
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.33%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.17%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.22%) [5]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [5]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 623
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,406
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.53%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.07%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (0.46%)
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (39.46%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 26.12%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 20.52%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.65%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (20.72%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Select Large-Cap Value Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.52%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.75%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.41%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 04, 2004
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | Russell 1000 Value Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Value Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.51%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.05%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 04, 2004
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | S&P 500 Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.06%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.29%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.69%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 04, 2004
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund | Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.02%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.52%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.51%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 04, 2004
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 30, 2012
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes contractual commitments to waive fees and reimburse expenses as indicated in the preceding table. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 5% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 5.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations of up to $2 billion or that fall within the range of the Russell 2000® Index (Index) at the time of investment. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $7.7 million to $5.7 billion as of March 31, 2011. The market capitalization range of the companies in the Index is subject to change. The Fund can invest in any economic sector and, at times, it may emphasize one or more particular sectors. Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments. In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the investment manager uses a bottom-up stock selection approach. This means that the investment manager concentrates on individual company fundamentals, rather than a particular industry.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may hold a limited number of securities, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities declines in price.

Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occurring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency and the risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices.

Issuer Risk. An issuer may perform poorly, and therefore, the value of its securities may decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Sector Risk. If a fund emphasizes one or more economic sectors, or industries, it may be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic conditions or events affecting the particular issuers, sectors or industries in which it invests than funds that do not so emphasize. The more a fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.

Small Company Risk. Investments in small companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies, including less predictable earnings and lack of experienced management, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths.

Value Securities Risk. Value securities involve the risk that they may never reach what the portfolio managers believe is their full market value either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth or the portfolio managers misgauged that worth. They also may decline in price, even though in theory they are already undervalued. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing growth stocks).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +31.51% (quarter ended June 30, 2009).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -24.40% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [6]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [6]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 314
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 548
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,225
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [6]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.20% [6]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 392
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 682
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,512
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.13%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [6]
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.08% [6]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 110
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 354
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 618
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,375
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (6.53%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (17.06%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 47.85%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.54%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.83%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.69%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (4.19%)
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (38.59%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 39.81%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 26.79%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 31.51%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.40%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 26.79%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.10%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.19%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000 Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 2000 Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 26.85%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.47%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.33%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund | Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 25.71%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.76%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.95%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Summary of the Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Short Duration U.S. Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and safety of principal consistent with an investment in U.S. government and government agency securities.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND cfvst1413032_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, or imposed on Accounts that may own shares directly. If the additional fees, expenses or sales charges were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) [1]
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your investment at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan or to Accounts that may own shares directly. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover cfvst1413032_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 323% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 323.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund invests in direct obligations of the U.S. government, such as Treasury bonds, bills, and notes, and of its agencies and instrumentalities. The Fund may invest to a substantial degree in securities issued by various entities sponsored by the U.S. government, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac). These issuers are chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury. The Fund may also invest in debt securities that are not issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, as well as securities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

The Fund may invest in derivatives such as futures (including treasury futures) and forward contracts, including, but not limited to TBA (To Be Announced) mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, and to increase flexibility.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that fixed-income securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price or fail to pay interest or repay principal when due because the issuer of the security or the counterparty to a contract will default or otherwise become unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations. Unrated securities held by the Fund may present increased credit risk.

Derivatives Risk — Forward Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward contracts (or forwards) for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, and to increase flexibility. A forward is a contract between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified future time at a price agreed today. Forwards are traded in the over-the-counter markets. The Fund may purchase forward contracts, including those on mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market. In the TBA market, the seller agrees to deliver the mortgage backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but makes no guarantee as to which or how many securities are to be delivered. Investments in forward contracts subject the Fund to Counterparty Credit Risk.

Derivatives Risk — Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into futures contracts for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, and to increase flexibility. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into off-setting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. In addition, futures exchanges often impose a maximum permissible price movement on each futures contract for each trading session. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities generally fall. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed-income security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate changes also may increase prepayments of debt obligations.

Market Risk. The market value of securities may fall, fail to rise or fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole.

Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, and the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in securities or loans providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. As interest rates rise or spreads widen, the likelihood of prepayment decreases. The portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads because the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower rate for a longer period of time.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Please remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
PAST PERFORMANCE cfvst1413032_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table. Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.

Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some illustration of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing, respectively:

• how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown on the bar chart; and

• how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to recognized measures of market performance shown on the table.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class 1 and Class 2 do not have one full calendar year of performance and therefore performance information for these classes is not shown.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Both the bar chart and the table do not reflect expenses that apply to your Accounts and Contracts. Inclusion of these charges would reduce total return for all periods shown.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll free 800.345.6611.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.345.6611
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class 3 Annual Total Returns
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption (calendar year)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods shown:

• Highest return for a calendar quarter was +3.09% (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2001).

• Lowest return for a calendar quarter was -1.94% (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008).
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund | Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 1
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.36%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.52%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 1
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 53
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 167
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 291
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 656
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund | Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 2
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.36%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 2
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 79
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 246
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 429
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 958
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund | Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class 3
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.36%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.13%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.65%
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class 3
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 66
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 208
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 363
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 814
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 6.29%
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 5.83%
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 1.52%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 0.85%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 1.58%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 3.84%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 5.33%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (2.64%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 5.53%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 3.00%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2001
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 3.09%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (1.94%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Columbia VP — Short Duration U.S. Government Fund:
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class 3
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.00%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.97%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.08%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund | Barclays Capital U.S. 1-3 Year Government Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays Capital U.S. 1-3 Year Government Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.40%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.32%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.07%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund | Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds Index
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for taxes)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.76%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.87%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.57%
[1] The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.
[2] The investment manager and its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive certain fees and to reimburse certain expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) until April 30, 2012, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board. Any amounts waived will not be reimbursed by the Fund. Under this agreement, net fund expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) will not exceed 0.765% for Class 1, 1.015% for Class 2 and 0.89% for Class 3.
[3] The investment manager and its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive certain fees and to reimburse certain expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) until April 30, 2012, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board. Any amounts waived will not be reimbursed by the Fund. Under this agreement, net fund expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) will not exceed 0.895% for Class 1, 1.145% for Class 2 and 1.02% for Class 3.
[4] Other expenses for Class 1 and Class 2 are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
[5] The investment manager and its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive certain fees and to reimburse certain expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) until April 30, 2012, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board of Trustees. Any amounts waived will not be reimbursed by the Fund. Under this agreement, net fund expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) will not exceed 0.825% for Class 1, 1.075% for Class 2, and 0.95% for Class 3.
[6] The investment manager and its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive certain fees and to reimburse certain expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) until April 30, 2012, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board. Any amounts waived will not be reimbursed by the Fund. Under this agreement, net fund expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) will not exceed 0.955% for Class 1, 1.205% for Class 2 and 1.08% for Class 3.