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Visitors to The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard show in London can get a chance to rest their legs before and after the show with a free ride on a MPI-sponsored golf buggy.

The eco-friendly eight-seater buggies, sporting MPI branding, will provide an all-day service throughout the show to give visitors a comfortable ride between Battersea Park’s Chelsea Bridge entrance and the Battersea Evolution show area.

A regular exhibitor at the Ski Show for several years, MPI Brokers is stepping up its presence this year, with its logo prominent as people arrive and leave. In addition to the buggies, the route is lined with MPI banners.

“We are calling it our Mobile Promotion Initiative to get More People Insured,” says Michael Pettifer, MPI Managing Director.

Staff are available at the MPI stand – 107 – to advise on all aspects of winter sports insurance, for individuals, families and ski companies.

“The Ski Show is an important feature on our calendar because it brings together significant parts of the skiing public and the ski industry at the start of the season.

“This 2016-17 season is particularly important for MPI because it leads up to our 15th anniversary – although the business is built on a legacy of ski insurance expertise going back more than 60 years.”

MPI Brokers has voiced strong support for a new funding initiative to help future British snowsports Olympians – especially ahead of the 2018 winter games in PyeongChang.

Speaking after the launch of the British Snowsports Fund and the British Ski and Snowboard National Foundation, Michael Pettifer said: “This is a significant step for snowsports. We will give it all the help we can.”

By becoming part of the fund-raising initiative, MPI will be joining an initial group of top commercial names in the snowsports arena, including holiday companies and equipment suppliers who are already confirmed partners in the project.

The BSF asks recreational skiers and snowboarders for a small donation when they buy from a confirmed industry partner. Money raised will go to the BSSN, a grant-making charity, and BSF to help talented athletes meet costs – and to develop young talent.

Picture: Cara Brown and Charlie Raposo ... GBR Alpine talent.

Recent comments on an online skiing forum suggest some skiers are unsure about how much time they can spend on the slopes without breaching the conditions of their insurance policies – and possibly losing out if they have to make a claim.

Policy conditions vary, so it's important to understand the cover before you buy a policy – and certainly before you travel.

MPI's Annual Multi Trip policies place no limit on the number of days you actually ski. However, we do limit the duration of a ski trip to 17 days – and that’s counted from departure to arrival back in the UK.

The 17-day limit is is a widely accepted standard for a typical two-week stay in-resort, plus outward and return travel.

MPI's AMT policies also allow non-ski trips of up to 30 days, UK-UK.

These periods can be extended.

Implications that the UK's decision to leave the European Union may have for skiers and the ski industry are a big unknown, says MPI Managing Director, Michael Pettifer.

Speaking recently at two trade events – Ski Launch and Listex – he said no immediate change was likely, other than the fall in the value of the pound.

"This will eventually filter through to increased insurance premiums. But there tends to be a lag effect, and it may be next year before premiums rise," he said.

"The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the big unknown – particularly as it is an EEA matter, rather than an EU one. It remains to be seen how this wil be dealt with.

"Should the EHIC right be lost, we will see a significant rise in rates for those travelling to Europe. However, nothing will happen for at least the next two years."

He also reminded holiday companies of their duty, under the Package Travel Regulations, to 'signpost' suitable travel insurance.

"We do not expect any change in this rule when the new regulations become law in 2017.

"But the industry needs to start planning for this over the next six months as more travel companies that are currently exempt may have to comply from next year."

British sailors’ performance in the Olympics, Paralympics and major events such as the Americas Cup will generate fresh interest in sailing – and increase demand for insurance tailored to this branch of water sports.

So says Michael Pettifer, Managing Director of MPI Brokers, specialist provider of travel insurance suited to both sailing and skiing.

“We have seen considerable growth in our summer business since the 2012 Olympics and the excellent results from Rio and elsewhere will undoubtedly add impetus to the trend.

“I am delighted that MPI is participating in the Southampton Boat Show again this year, alongside Sailing Holidays,” he says. “It is the premier showcase for all forms of boating and it fosters the nation’s great sailing spirit. It also enables us to strengthen many contacts across the industry and with the public.”

An experienced sailor and skier, Michael Pettifer provides policies that give customers greater freedom to enjoy their chosen activities.

“For example, most tourist travel insurance policies do not cover racing: we do – for dinghy racing and low-level ski racing,” he says.

And MPI covers all forms of sailing in all Western European waters and up to 12 nautical miles offshore elsewhere. Insurance for further afield is arranged on application.

MPI is a long-standing sponsor of the annual Schools Week at Itchenor Sailing Club and this year, for the first time, also sponsored Junior Week at nearby Bosham Sailing Club.

Additionally, MPI sponsors Team Thompson Sailing – a family of four Surrey brothers, three of whom are already showing promise nationally and internationally in the 420 and RS Tera classes.

PICTURE: MPI's Joanna Scott chats to show-goers on Day One of the Southampton Boat Show 2016.