If I leave steps in all winter will they freeze and crack

I have a 15' X 48" Intex metal frame above ground pool.I have taken my pool down at end of season until now. Health wise I am just not up to taking it down this year and putting it back up in the spring. I have a very good set of heavy steps that fill with water. We put the steps in on the floor of the liner before raising the legs and sides of the liner. I have no idea how to get the heavy steps out without lowering the sides. I live just outside of Pittsburgh PA so winter is sometimes pretty rough, below freezing and sometimes below 0 F. These are hollow steps that fill with water, heavy. Will they freeze and crack? Or can someone advise me on how to get them out of the pool without draining pool and dropping the sides.