VIST was established in 1997 in the heart of Dolomites, Italy from an idea of Roberto Vivian and Elmar Stimpfl, an athlete of the Italian national ski team. Originally, VIST was responsible for the production of high-performance ski plates for the professional ski race sector. Within just a few years and thanks to victorious athletes using VIST plates at the Nagano Olympic Games, the brand gained international praise and fame.

VIST created the first garments for the professional ski race sector. Along with plates, VIST produced and marketed “E-Coach”, an innovative system for monitoring the athlete’s position on skis. This small electronic device helps the skier find the correct skiing position by monitoring the skiers movements and providing immediate feedback.

VIST acquired the binding business branch from Benetton and opened new headquarters in Caldaro (BOLZANO). VIST then expanded from exclusively producing plates to launching VIST bindings and the manufacturing of complete systems. One of its major innovations was SpeedLock, the first and only integrated plate/binding system with an excellent performance that allows the binding to be attached to the plate without the need for any tools.

VIST presented its first collection of ski apparel and the “Race” line. VIST then became the official apparel supplier for The British Ski Federation.

VIST participated in the Turin 2006 Olympic Games as the official supplier for the apparel of the Czech team. Additionally, athletes of the national teams of the Principality of Monaco and Slovak Republic were all fitted out by VIST. At the first World Star Ski Event in Val Badia (with Prince Albert of Monaco and the Star Team for Children) VIST fitted out all VIP participants with its ski outfits. VIST designed a new apparel collection “Snow Leopard”, inspired by the Ghanese athlete Kwame Nkrumkah Acheampong. Vaclav Klaus, then President of the Czech Republic, was nominated as the first “VIST World Leader”.

The Czech skier, Šárka Záhrobská, was sponsored by VIST and became World Slalom Champion at Are. VIST launched the Aurum line, "Aurum 24 K. by Vist". The precious gold element characterized the whole collection and represents the highest level of the refined artisanal workmanship. Paris Hilton wore a VIST outfit while skiing in Ischgl, Austria.

VIST launched its first junior ski bindings. With an attractive and modern design created and manufactured exclusively in Italy, the innovative junior binding is easy to handle, lightweight, flexible, customizable, and provides outstanding performance and functionality. VIST became a sponsor and official supplier of the Russian Alpine Ski Federation.

VIST became an official outfitter of the Saslong FIS World Cup in Val Gardena, Dolomites, celebrating the birthplace of the company.

VIST is developing a new collection which will embody the heritage of the brand along with new trends in design and colors.