Winterizing a saltwater above-ground pool is basically the same as a regular chlorinated pool.

Yes. The process is nearly identical — just with one extra step for the salt cell.

Saltwater pools generate chlorine from salt, but the winterization chemicals and water balancing are the same. You still need to lower the pH, add a winterizing chemical kit (like an algaecide and a non-chlorine shock), and drop the chlorine level before closing.

The only real difference is the salt cell. Remove it from the plumbing loop before you drain or blow out the lines. If left in place with freezing water, the cell can crack. Clean it, store it inside for the winter. That’s it.

Everything else — draining below the skimmer, plugging return jets, blowing out lines, adding a winter cover — is identical to a non-saltwater pool. Don’t overthink the “salt” part. Salt doesn’t freeze or evaporate away, so you don’t need to do anything special with the water chemistry beyond what you’d normally do.

Just don’t forget that salt cell. Future you will thank present you.