Columbia Sportswear Company Outfits Pilots at World-Renowned Albuquerque Balloon Festival.

Business Editors/Retail Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2001

International outdoor apparel and footwear leader Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq:COLM) is climbing aboard once again as the official outerwear supplier to the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta(R).

The annual fiesta, celebrating its 30th year, takes place October 6-14 in Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Park.

For the seventh consecutive year, Columbia will outfit all balloon pilots, sponsor guests, media personalities, and staff in one of Columbia's specially designed Titanium(TM) Interchange System(TM) parkas. Approximately 1800 parkas will be provided.

"This festival is arguably one of the most beautiful, visually stunning sights, especially when the balloons are lit at night," said Gert Boyle, Chairman of the Board of Columbia Sportswear. "Columbia is very proud of its relationship with the celebration, and I look forward to attending this event every year."

The Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is ballooning's largest and most spectacular event, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectator visits and pilots from around the world. Beginning as a small gathering of 13 balloons and 10,000 viewers in 1972, the Fiesta now hosts close to a thousand balloons with more than a million spectators.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Ore., 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.