Ok. I get your point...and I understand winter covers can be a massive hassle. (the same guy who suggested late/early run times also laments about his winter cover...)

So here's my final question on this (I thought about this one too late to add it to my post...)

I'm supposing the foot, or so, of snow and ice that builds up just becomes spring opening re-fill inventory?

Do you have any provision for overflow prevention? (like pipe in a length of backwash hose into a return so any extra rain/melt water can pour out and get taken away) or do you just let the skimmer overflow?
-or-
Are you up and running before the spring rains become an overflow problem (and still running after the fall rains stop)?