Slackers rejoice as pollution peaks

It's official - exercise is bad for you. The news alpine couch potatoes have been waiting for has finally arrived - according to local pollution specialists, to remain in optimum health you should avoid any kind of strenous outdoor activity.

Still, there is a down side to all those pizza's and DVD's. A quick glance at the site atmo-rhonealpes.org will be enough to spoil the fun and have you reaching for your nearest oxygen mask.

To cut to the chase, the high pressure sat on Europe, bringing with it still, stagnant air and all those cars and coaches chugging towards the slopes have induced a quality of air which would choke a city-dweller. And all this in the supposedly healthy environment of the alps. High altitude residents needn't fret, however, as these nefarious fumes are naturally at their worst in the valleys or built-up areas.

With the clear weather set to continue well into next week, the only sound counsel is to head for the hills!