I'm having the same issue. My concern is if I pump out will the ice cling to the liner and pull it down or tear it? I'm about up to my skimmer and must be a foot or more of ice.
I notice the original post has to do with an above ground pool, not sure about them, but can see where there would be issues if the water/ice gets above coping and then back behind the wall in ground.
With an above ground I don't see how there could be an issue since it would just get over rails and on to ground .
Not sure about all your set up and winterizing techniques, but aside from the equipment care, I disconnect the return, plug it, disconnect skimmer hose and cover the top with a hard plastic plate along with the original lid, just in case any rain snow would try and drain in.
and put a skimmer plate in front of it , lower water 6 inches below return when first closing, this year so far a freakish little snow total and above temps but water level almost center of return already.
Not sure how frozen depth wise. I don't cover and last few years the snow was up to top rails, when the weather started to thaw everything, the water level was a couple inches below skimmer.
I wouldn't do a thing, but I don't know if you cover the pool or not.
When I did use a cover I always removed as much snow as possible before it froze to pool surface and that got very old very fast.
No trees of my own but do get a few leaves on very windy days.If you don't cover I would just let it go for the winter.
