Hello and welcome to TFP! My pool is just about the same size (24' filled to 48"). I've owned it for almost 20yrs (only been controlling my pool the TFP way since last season and never looked back).
I can tell you what I have done since I have had the pump & filter regarding closing for the winter in WNY (still original by the way).
1. Drain my water to below the return in the pool (about 1") and add what ever you want to winterize the water
2. Cover both the skimmer and return opening inside the pool (I did replace the skimmer with one that has a flange for a "tuperware" type cover) (I also cover them because one year enough melted snow on the cover pushed out enough pool water that it was a little under 1/2 full when I went to open it)
3. Leave the hoses connected to the skimmer and return, but disconnect from the filter & pump. I cover those ends with a rag to keep critters from moving in, but allowing any water to be able to drain (just letting them lay on the ground beside the pool)
4. Drain my sand tank and place the drain cap on top of the valve
5. Turn the valve to winter
6. Drain the filter basket (using it's drain plug) attached to the pump completely (cleaning both basket & housing well)
7. After replacing the basket housing plug, I fill the entire thing with RV Antifreeze till it dribbles out of the fitting where the skimmer hose connects
8. Coil up the motor cord with a baggie tie close to the motor
9. Cover the entire unit with a tarp and tie a string around the base to hold it in place through the winter
Don't know if this helps at all, but just throwing it out there! (sounds like our filters might be similar so I'll throw in a pic of mine)
