497

The interactive data file included as an exhibit to this filing relates to the prospectuses for Columbia Variable Portfolio — Diversified Equity Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — International Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — S&P 500 Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — Select Large-Cap Value Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio — Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio — Short Duration U.S. Government Fund filed pursuant to Rule 497(e) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on May 4, 2011 (Accession No. 0000950123-11-044691), which are incorporated herein by reference.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.71%	0.71%	0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.18%	0.18%	0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.89%	1.14%	1.02%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		(0.13%)	(0.13%)	(0.13%)
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		0.76%	1.01%	0.89%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Class 1	78	271	481	1,088
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Class 2	103	350	616	1,379
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Class 3	91	312	552	1,241

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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.

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Large Cap Growth Fund	Columbia VP — Large Cap Growth Fund:	Class 3		17.16%	0.45%	(2.88%)
Russell 1000 Growth Index		Russell 1000 Growth Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	16.71%	3.75%	0.02%
Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index		Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	15.13%	2.38%	(1.01%)

[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.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.76%	0.76%	0.76%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.15%	0.15%	0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.91%	1.16%	1.04%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		(0.02%)	(0.02%)	(0.02%)
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		0.89%	1.14%	1.02%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Class 1	91	288	503	1,122
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Class 2	116	367	637	1,412
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Class 3	104	329	573	1,274

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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).

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund	Columbia VP — Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund:	Class 3		22.51%	3.82%	6.46%	May 02, 2005
Russell Midcap Value Index		Russell Midcap Value Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	24.75%	4.08%	6.02%	May 02, 2005
Lipper Mid-Cap Value Funds Index		Lipper Mid-Cap Value Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	21.64%	4.19%	5.99%	May 02, 2005

[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 0.895% for Class 1, 1.145% for Class 2 and 1.02% for Class 3.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Diversified Equity Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income

and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.56%	0.56%	0.56%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.14%	0.14%	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.70%	0.95%	0.83%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Class 1	72	224	390	874
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Class 2	97	303	526	1,171
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Class 3	85	265	461	1,029

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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).

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund	Columbia VP — Diversified Equity Income Fund:	Class 3		16.83%	2.78%	6.03%
Russell 1000 Value Index		Russell 1000® Value Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	15.51%	1.28%	3.26%
Lipper Equity Income Funds Index		Lipper Equity Income Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	14.04%	2.15%	2.86%

[1] The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.36%	0.36%	0.36%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.16%	0.16%	0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.52%	0.77%	0.65%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Class 1	53	167	291	656
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Class 2	79	246	429	958
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Class 3	66	208	363	814

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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.

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Short Duration U.S. Government Fund	Columbia VP — Short Duration U.S. Government Fund:	Class 3		3.00%	2.97%	3.08%
Barclays Capital U.S. 1-3 Year Government Index		Barclays Capital U.S. 1-3 Year Government Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	2.40%	4.32%	4.07%
Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds Index		Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	2.76%	3.87%	3.57%

[1] The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.

XML



Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large Cap Value Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.71%	0.71%	0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.33%	0.33%	0.33%
Total annual fund operating expenses			1.04%	1.29%	1.17%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		(0.22%)	(0.22%)	(0.22%)
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		0.82%	1.07%	0.95%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Class 1	84	309	554	1,256
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Class 2	109	388	688	1,542
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Class 3	97	350	623	1,406

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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).

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large-Cap Value Fund	Columbia VP — Select Large-Cap Value Fund:	Class 3		20.52%	1.75%	3.41%	Feb. 04, 2004
Russell 1000 Value Index		Russell 1000 Value Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	15.51%	1.28%	4.05%	Feb. 04, 2004
S&P 500 Index		S&P 500 Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	15.06%	2.29%	3.69%	Feb. 04, 2004
Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index		Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	13.02%	1.52%	3.51%	Feb. 04, 2004

[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 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.

XML



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.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1		Class 2		Class 3
Management fees			0.10%		0.10%		0.10%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none		0.25%		0.13%
Other expenses			0.24%	[2]	0.24%	[2]	0.24%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.34%		0.59%		0.47%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Class 1	35	109	191	433
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Class 2	60	189	330	741
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Class 3	48	151	264	594

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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.

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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(for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund	Columbia VP — S&P 500 Index Fund:	Class 3		14.71%	1.93%	0.97%
S&P 500 Index		S&P 500 Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	15.06%	2.29%	1.41%
Lipper S&P 500 Objective Funds Index		Lipper S&P 500 Objective Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	14.70%	2.08%	1.16%

[1] The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.

[2] Other expenses for Class 1 and Class 2 are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

XML



Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

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

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller Cap Value Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.79%	0.79%	0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.21%	0.21%	0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses			1.00%	1.25%	1.13%
Less: Fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		(0.05%)	(0.05%)	(0.05%)
Total annual (net) fund operating expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement	[2]		0.95%	1.20%	1.08%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Class 1	97	314	548	1,225
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Class 2	122	392	682	1,512
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Class 3	110	354	618	1,375

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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).

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund	Columbia VP — Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund:	Class 3		26.79%	3.10%	5.19%
Russell 2000 Index		Russell 2000 Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	26.85%	4.47%	6.33%
Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index		Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	25.71%	4.76%	6.95%

[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 0.955% for Class 1, 1.205% for Class 2 and 1.08% for Class 3.

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Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund

Summary of the Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – International Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

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 - Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund		Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	[1]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Operating Expenses Column [Text]			Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees			0.79%	0.79%	0.79%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees			none	0.25%	0.13%
Other expenses			0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses			0.99%	1.24%	1.12%

Example

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:

Expense Example Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund (USD $)	Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Class 1	101	316	548	1,218
Class 2, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Class 2	126	394	682	1,505
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Class 3	114	356	618	1,368

Portfolio Turnover

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.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FUND

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.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

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.

PAST PERFORMANCE

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.

Class 3 Annual Total Returns

(calendar year)

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 (for periods ended Dec. 31, 2010)

Average Annual Total Returns Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Column	Label	Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]	1 year	5 years	10 years
Class 3, Columbia Variable Portfolio - International Opportunity Fund	Columbia VP — International Opportunity Fund:	Class 3		13.89%	3.90%	1.91%
MSCI EAFE Index		MSCI EAFE Index	(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	8.21%	2.94%	3.94%
Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index		Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index	(reflects no deduction for taxes)	8.82%	2.33%	3.06%

[1] The expense ratios have been adjusted to reflect current fees.