Columbia Sportswear Named Official Apparel Sponsor of Jeep Ski/Snowboard Series

Columbia Sportswear Named Official Apparel Sponsor of Jeep Ski/Snowboard Series

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM), a global leader in the active outdoor apparel and footwear industries, announced its return as the official apparel sponsor of the 2005-2006 Jeep King of the Mountain Series. Proclaimed as the richest and most prestigious professional snow racing series in the world, the Jeep King of the Mountain Series begins this weekend in Crested Butte, Colorado and consists of four weekend events across North America. The series will begin airing on CBS January 1, 2006.

In its eighth season as the official apparel sponsor, Columbia Sportswear will outfit the event staff, volunteers, select on-air talent as well as VIPs in Columbia's Titanium performance collections. Outerwear pieces include the Selkirk and Oregomi Parkas as well as the Haute Dog and Delightful Soft Shell Pants. Additionally, they will receive Titanium layering pieces, accessories and cold-weather boots from Columbia's performance footwear offering.

"We're proud to continue our successful relationship with the Jeep King of the Mountain Series," said Mike DeCesaro, Columbia Sportswear's Promotion Manager. "The on-snow competition provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the combination of style and durability of our performance products in their intended environment."

Recognized as the World Championships of professional skiing and snowboarding, The Jeep King of the Mountain Series features the most elite skiers and snowboarders including Columbia sponsored athletes Anik Demers, Davey Barr and Jasey Jay Anderson. The innovative Y-shaped racecourse enables skiers and snowboarders to compete together and combines the technical skill of Parallel Giant Slalom with the cutting edge excitement of skiercross and boardercross. For more information, visit www.jeepskiing.com.

ABOUT COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest outerwear brands in the world and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the Company has developed an international reputation for quality, performance, functionality and value. To learn more about Columbia Sportswear please visit the Company's web site at www.columbia.com.

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

CONTACT: John Fread, +1-503-985-4287, or jfread@columbia.com, or Kim
Schamp, +1-503-985-4833, or kschamp@columbia.com, both of Columbia Sportswear
Company

Web site: http://www.jeepskiing.com/

Web site: http://www.columbia.com/

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