Greg and Marion McIntosh told of heavy snowfalls in the area, which would have them, and their teenage daughters holed up for days.

But all that is gone now after the retreat, made mostly of timber and aluminium cladding, was flattened by fierce fires that swept across the mountain on December 17.

The McIntosh family now lives in Canberra on a more permanent basis and told of their devastation when Cooma-Monaro Shire councillors and members of the Emergency Management Committee toured the area on Wednesday, January 27.

They built most of the home themselves and always knew it was a big risk to build in such a dry, remote and tree clad location, but sweeping views across the valley and close proximity to Canberra made it irresistible.

“We bought the land in 1993 and had the house built in 1999,” Mrs McIntosh said.

“We always knew it was a big risk, but we were looking for a bit of rural land a little get away from town and it has a great view.”

Like so many the McIntosh family had insurance on their property, but most likely it will not cover the full cost to rebuild.

“A lot of it we did ourselves,” Mrs McIntosh said.

The biggest shock was for the couple’s daughters who are still coming to terms with the fact everything has gone.

“It’s the stuff they’ve lost that upsets them, they still had things in the house,” Mr McIntosh said.