You don't need to do much for a mild winter.

Not much. In a mild-winter zone (USDA zone 8+), an above-ground pool is more about keeping debris out than preventing freeze damage. A hard freeze is unlikely, so you can skip the heavy-duty winterizing steps.

Just clean the pool thoroughly, balance the water chemistry (pH and alkalinity), and add a winterizing algaecide. Lower the water level to just below the skimmer opening — you don’t need to drain half the pool. Cover it with a good winter cover, something that keeps leaves and dirt out.

If you get occasional frosts, make sure any exposed pipes are drained or blown out. But if your winters are consistently above freezing, you can probably leave the pump and filter running on a timer a few hours a day to keep water moving.

Most above-ground pool guides are written for harsh winters. Yours is easier. Don’t overcomplicate it.