Winterization for a soft sided pool.

I am starting to think ahead and plan for winterization. This is my first year with a pool. I have read the sticky's on winterization but I have a few questions:

1. Is there any consensus on how to winterize a soft sided pool? Do people just take them completely down? Mine is fairly large and I cringe at draining that much water on my property. My owner's manual, though very vague, suggests draining below the return and winterizing as some moderators suggest.

2. Is there a point in the fall/winter when you can stop adding and checking chemicals? It sounds like a certain temperature where algae stops growing, correct?

3. If watermom does not cover her pool in the winter per the sticky, what would be a reason for anyone to cover their pool? I currently do not have a winter cover nor the pillows and would like to not purchase them if they are not necessary.

Thanks.