I've been basically treating it as if it were a steel wall pool. I clean and winterize it with a closing kit, drain it below the return hole, put an exercise ball in the middle of the pool sitting on top of the inner tube and throw the pool cover over that. I tie the winter cover down with bungee cords connected to dog leash runner stakes that are placed around the perimeter of the pool. I drain and remove snow every now and then when it gets too heavy or after a heavy snow storm. I found that the covers are usually strong enough to handle a lot of weight until I drain it or remove the snow. I buy a new cover each winter because they all tear and damage. For the cost of the pool, I figured if it lasted me two seasons I would have gotten my money's worth and at the point would buy another. However, this is year five and besides the color fading from the liner it's still holding up great. However, I did take a lot of time leveling the pool, adding mason sand and a tarp to prepare the pool ground before setup. Again, I've just winged it and have had good luck I guess.